Abstract
BackgroundParasitic infections have been shown to have deleterious effects on host nutritional status. In addition, although helmintic infection can modulate the host inflammatory response directed against the parasite, a causal association between helminths and allergy remains uncertain. The present study was therefore designed to evaluate the relationship between nutritional status, parasite infection and prevalence of allergy among school children.MethodsA cross sectional study was performed involving school children in two elementary schools in Gondar, Ethiopia. Nutritional status of these children was determined using anthropometric parameters (weight-for-age, height-for-age and BMI-for-age). Epi-Info software was used to calculate z-scores. Stool samples were examined using standard parasitological procedures. The serum IgE levels were quantified by total IgE ELISA kit following the manufacturer’s instruction.ResultA total of 405 children (with mean age of 12.09.1 ± 2.54 years) completed a self-administered allergy questionnaire and provided stool samples for analysis. Overall prevalence of underweight, stunting and thinness/wasting was 15.1%, 25.2%, 8.9%, respectively. Of the total, 22.7% were found to be positive for intestinal parasites. The most prevalent intestinal parasite detected was Ascaris lumbricoides (31/405, 7.6%). There was no statistically significant association between prevalence of malnutrition and the prevalence of parasitic infections. Median total serum IgE level was 344 IU/ml (IQR 117–2076, n = 80) and 610 IU/ml (143–1833, n = 20), respectively, in children without and with intestinal parasite infection (Z = −0.198, P > 0.8). The prevalence of self reported allergy among the subset was 8%. IgE concentration was not associated either with the presence of parasitic infection or history of allergy.ConclusionThe prevalence of malnutrition, intestinal parasitism and allergy was not negligible in this population. In addition, there was no significant association between the prevalence of allergy and their nutritional status, and parasite infection. Further research prospective observational and intervention studies are required to address the question of causality between nutritional factors, parasites, and allergy.
Highlights
Parasitic infections have been shown to have deleterious effects on host nutritional status
There was no significant association between the prevalence of allergy and their nutritional status, and parasite infection
Further research prospective observational and intervention studies are required to address the question of causality between nutritional factors, parasites, and allergy
Summary
Parasitic infections have been shown to have deleterious effects on host nutritional status. The present study was designed to evaluate the relationship between nutritional status, parasite infection and prevalence of allergy among school children. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), approximately 2 billion people are affected by helminthic infection worldwide [1]. These infections are responsible for high levels of morbidity and mortality, including iron-deficiency anemia, seizures, portal hypertension, and chronic diarrhea [1,2,3]. Age is an associated factor related to the individual’s immunologic status and behavioral patterns contributing to the high prevalence of intestinal parasites in children than in adults [4,5]. Malnutrition is a common health problem of African schoolchildren due to intestinal parasitic infections and many other factors [9]
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