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Brandt O, Wegenstein B, Müller I, Smith D, Nqweniso S, Adams L, Müller S, du Randt R, Pühse U, Gerber M, Navarini AA, Utzinger J, Daniel Labhardt N, Schindler C, Walter C. Association between allergic sensitization and intestinal parasite infection in schoolchildren in Gqeberha, South Africa. Clin Exp Allergy 2022; 52:670-683. [PMID: 35073608 PMCID: PMC9310757 DOI: 10.1111/cea.14100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2021] [Revised: 01/03/2022] [Accepted: 01/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Background Inconsistent data exist regarding the influence of parasitic infection on the prevalence of allergic sensitization and disorders. Objective To investigate the impact of geohelminth and protozoan infections on sensitization patterns and allergic symptoms of children living in low‐income communities in Gqeberha, South Africa. Methods In a cross‐sectional study, 587 schoolchildren aged 8–12 years were recruited in June 2016 and screened for reactivity to common allergens by skin prick tests (SPTs) and for parasitic infections by stool examination. Additionally, questionnaires were completed to record allergic symptoms the children may have experienced. Results Positive SPTs were found in 237/587 children (40.4%), and about one‐third of whom were polysensitized. Sensitizations were most frequently detected against the house dust mites (HDM) Dermatophagoides spp. (31.9%) and Blomia tropicalis (21.0%). Infections with geohelminths (Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura) were found in 26.8% and protozoan infections (Giardia intestinalis, Cryptosporidia spp.) in 13.9% of study participants. Mixed logistic regression analyses revealed negative associations between parasite infection and sensitization to Blomia tropicalis (OR: 0.54, 95% CI 0.33–0.89) and to Dermatophagoides spp. (OR 0.65, 95% CI 0.43–0.96), and between protozoan infection and allergic sensitization to any aeroallergen, although these associations were not significant when adjusted for false discovery. Geohelminth infection and intensity of geohelminth infection were both associated with reduced risk of polysensitization (OR 0.41, 95% CI 0.21–0.86), and this association remained significant with adjustment for false discovery. Reported respiratory symptoms were associated with HDM sensitization (ORs from 1.54 to 2.48), but not with parasite infection. Conclusions and clinical relevance Our data suggest that geohelminth infection and high geohelminth infection intensity are associated with a reduced risk of polysensitization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oliver Brandt
- Department of Dermatology, Allergy Unit, University Hospital, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.,Department of Dermatology, University Hospital, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.,Pediatric Respiratory Medicine, Children's University Hospital of Bern, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Benjamin Wegenstein
- Department of Dermatology, Allergy Unit, University Hospital, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.,Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Ivan Müller
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland.,Department of Sport, Exercise and Health, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Danielle Smith
- Department of Human Movement Science, Nelson Mandela University, Ggeberha, South Africa
| | - Siphesihle Nqweniso
- Department of Human Movement Science, Nelson Mandela University, Ggeberha, South Africa
| | - Larissa Adams
- Department of Human Movement Science, Nelson Mandela University, Ggeberha, South Africa
| | - Simon Müller
- Department of Dermatology, University Hospital, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Rosa du Randt
- Department of Human Movement Science, Nelson Mandela University, Ggeberha, South Africa
| | - Uwe Pühse
- Department of Sport, Exercise and Health, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Markus Gerber
- Department of Sport, Exercise and Health, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Alexander A Navarini
- Department of Dermatology, University Hospital, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Jürg Utzinger
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland
| | | | | | - Cheryl Walter
- Department of Human Movement Science, Nelson Mandela University, Ggeberha, South Africa
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