LEVEL OF SERUM IgE DURING ATOPY WITH AND WITHOUT INTESTINAL PARASITIC INFECTIONS IN THE UNIVERSITY OF GONDAR TEACHING HOSPITAL, NORTHWEST ETHIOPIA

Abstract

Background: Recent studies have showen that controversial associations of chronic helminthic infections with allergic diseases
as having protective and predictive roles. Lots of conflicts in answering such questions have continually arisen in recent years.
This study aimed to determine the prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections, atopy and serum IgE level.
Methods: A total of 225 patients were randomly selected from the Dermatology Outpatient Department at the University of
Gondar Hospital, Ethiopia, from January - March 2006. A modified questionnaire of international study of asthma and allergies in children (ISSAC) was used to assess atopy, and skin scratch tests were done for common allergens. Stool specimen was
collected and examined by the formol-ether concentration sedimentation technique. The serum IgE levels were quantified by
total IgE ELISA kit. Simple descriptive statistics were used to explain the findings.
Results: The prevalence of atopy was 40.9% (95% CI = 35.9% - 46.7%). The prevalence of intestinal parasitosis was 36.9%
(95% CI = 29.8% - 44.4%). Lower prevalence of atopy was observed in individuals infected with any parasite, A. lumbricoides,
S. stercoralis, Hookworm, and S. mansoni. The mean serum IgE level for positive prick test, self-reported atopy, and atopy was
2893 IU/ml, 2909 IU/ml, and 2914 IU/ml, respectively. The mean serum IgE level was 2785 IU/ml, 2714 IU/ml, 1613 IU/ml,
4020 IU/ml, 4415 IU/ml, and 4627 IU/ml for any parasites, A. lumbricoids, hookworm, S. stercoralis, S. mansoni, and E. histolytica, respectively.
Conclusion: The results demonstrate a high prevalence of atopy and intestinal parasitosis. Atopy was inversely related to A.
lumbricoides, S. stercoralis, Hookworm, S. mansoni, and E. histolytica infections. Both atopy and intestinal parasites caused
higher mean serum IgE which was seen in all study participants with self-reported atopy and in skin scratch test positive study
participants. A. lumbricoides, S. stercoralis, Hookworm, S. mansoni, and E. histolytica caused a higher mean serum IgE than
the control study participants. The increased serum IgE level showed in G.lamblia, H. nana, and E. vermicularis infections
without affecting the occurrence of atopy needs further study.