Blood Glucose Levels in Individuals Infected with Soil-Transmitted Helminths in Padang West Sumatera, Indonesia

Chronic infections in the human gut are most commonly caused by helminths spread through soil. Worms have been found to provide immunity to several illnesses, including inflammatory diseases and metabolic syndrome. This study aims to investigate adult members of scavenger families who have been exposed to soil-transmitted helminth infections in terms of their fasting blood glucose (FBG) levels. To check for soil-transmitted helminths, feces are examined using the direct method using iodine, and the Kato Katz method to count the number of eggs per gram of feces. The hexokinase enzymatic approach was used to test blood glucose levels during a fast. Infections with soil-transmitted helminths were categorized as mild in all study participants. When soil-transmitted helminth infections were compared to controls, there was a statistically significant drop in FBG levels (p<0.05). Thus, it may be said that soil-transmitted helminth infections spread through the soil can lower adult blood glucose levels.