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Abstract Background Helminths are potent immunomodulators and in their chronic infection state they may protect against allergy‐related disease and atopy. However, they are also known for inducing allergic conditions. This study aimed to assess the association between helminths, atopy and allergic conditions. Methods A total of 461 school children participated in this cross‐sectional study. Data on allergic symptoms and a range of confounding variables was gathered from parents via an interviewer‐led questionnaire. Skin sensitization to house dust mite and cockroaches was analyzed, and a stool sample was collected for helminth analysis. Serum total Immunoglobulin E using enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay and eosinophil count were also measured. Results Overall sensitivity to both allergens was 2.4%. Self‐reported allergic outcomes in the last 12 months for the 461 participants had been : wheezing 3.7%, asthma 2.2%, eczema 13.2% and hay fever 6.9%. Overall, the prevalence of helminth infection was 11.9% (53/444). A borderline significant association was found between atopy and any allergy symptoms (odds ratio OR: 3.32, 95% confidence interval 95% CI: 0.99, 11.1, p = .052). There was no significant association between helminths and atopy (OR: 0.64 95% CI: 0.29, 1.41, p = .268) and also between helminths and allergic symptoms (OR: 0.64 95% CI: 0.29, 1.41, p = .268). Bivariate analysis showed keeping an animal in the house increases the risk of atopy while maternal and paternal history of allergy increases the risk of developing allergic symptoms in the children. Conclusion and clinical relevance This study found a non‐significant inverse association between helminths infection and atopy and allergic disorders, likely due to reduced statistical power, resulting in a lower prevalence of atopy and allergic conditions. A high powered longtitudinal study is necessary to explore the casuality and potential therapeutic benefits of helminths for allergic disorders.
Walelign et al. (Fri,) studied this question.