I. Hagel et al., NUTRITIONAL-STATUS AND THE IGE RESPONSE AGAINST ASCARIS-LUMBRICOIDES IN CHILDREN FROM A TROPICAL SLUM, Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, 89(5), 1995, pp. 562-565
Citations number
33
Categorie Soggetti
Public, Environmental & Occupation Heath","Tropical Medicine
Helminthic infection can stimulate the interleukin-4 (IL-4)-dependent
polyclonal synthesis of immunoglobulin E (IgE) in children endemically
exposed to these parasites. As such children are also frequently at n
utritional risk, in this study we considered the possible influence of
malnutrition on serum IL-4 levels and the IgE response in helminthic
infection. We evaluated 85 Ascaris-infected children living in an urba
n slum area of Caracas, Venezuela, and found that the serum levels of
IL-4 and total IgE were significantly higher in malnourished children
than in their well nourished counterparts. In contrast, the specific a
nti-Ascaris IgE antibody response was significantly lower in the malno
urished group. After anthelmintic treatment of the children, the total
serum IgE and IL-4 levels decreased significantly in the well nourish
ed group, while the specific anti-Ascaris IgE antibody response increa
sed. No significant change was detected, however, in the malnourished
group. Our results suggested that malnutrition potentiates the polyclo
nal stimulation of IgE synthesis induced by helminths. As specific IgE
antibody has been implicated in the resistance to helminthic infectio
n, and the polyclonal stimulus diminishes this response, these factors
may increase the susceptibility of malnourished children to such para
sites.