Entamoeba coli and Entamoeba histolytica infections as risk of allergic reactions: a case study of population of Bamenda, Cameroon

Gastrointestinal parasites remains one of the major health problem in low-income countries.Despite of the induction of IgE responses that results, the role of the various gastrointestinal parasites in allergic is not well known.This study aimed at determining the prevalence and relationship of allergic diseases and Entamoeba coli (E.coli) and Entamoeba histolytica (E.histolytica) infections.The study conducted from December 2018 to February 2019 in the Bamenda Regional hospital, Cameroon.A total of 301 patients were interviewed and systematically screened for E. coli and E. histolytica using formol ether method.The prevalence of E. coli and E. histolytica was 8.22%, and 3.95% respectively, and coinfection accounted for 2.63% of all participants.The prevalence of allergic diseases was 57.48%.Wheezing, asthma, rhinitis and eczema were present in the population for 3.62%, 40.53%, 13.30% and 15.61% respectively.IgE-response against E. coli and E. histolytica constitutes a risk for allergic diseases in parasites-infected patients.This is the first study assessing parasites infection and allergy relationship in patients suffering from gastrointestinal parasites in Cameroon.This study outlines a high prevalence of allergy infections and gastrointestinal parasites as associated factors.Further investigations of this relation could be a good complement to control strategies of allergic diseases.