Ascaris & Allergic Skin Infections

http://www.bioone.org/perlserv/?request=get-document&doi=10.1645%2F0022-3395%282003%29089%5B0490%3APOIPAI%5D2.0.CO%3B2

Journal of Parasitology
Article: pp. 490–492

PREVALENCE OF INTESTINAL PARASITES AMONG INDIVIDUALS WITH ALLERGIC SKIN DISEASES

Andrea Giacometti, Oscar Cirioni, Leonardo Antonicelli, Giuseppina D'Amato, Carmela Silvestri, Maria Simona Del Prete, and Giorgio Scalise
Institute of Infectious Diseases and Public Health, University of Ancona, Ospedale Regionale, via Conca, I-60020 Ancona, AN, Italy

The prevalence of intestinal protozoans and helminths in stool samples of individuals with allergic cutaneous symptoms was evaluated to study a possible link between parasites and allergy. Altogether, 218 patients who had chronic urticaria, atopic dermatitis, or pruritus of unknown origin were included in the study. Standard laboratory tests for the detection of allergic etiology were performed for all patients. The presence of intestinal parasites was investigated using microscopy, immunofluorescence, and immunoenzymatic assays. Overall, protozoans and helminths were recovered from the stools of 48 subjects (P = 0.004), 18 of whom were affected with intestinal symptoms (P = 0.023). The presence of Giardia lamblia in the stools was significantly associated with allergic cutaneous manifestations (P = 0.030). In addition, patients with allergy were significantly more likely to have ≥5 Blastocystis hominis organisms per field (P = 0.046). There was a set of patients with allergic cutaneous diseases in whom the presence of intestinal parasites may not be incidental.

Received: June 17, 2002; Revised: November 21, 2002; Accepted: February 21, 2003
DOI: 10.1645/0022-3395(2003)089[0490:POIPAI]2.0.CO;2
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