Opisthorchis felineus negatively associates with skin test reactivity in Russia – EuroPrevall-INCO study

Abstract

Background

Most studies on the relationship between helminth infections and atopic disorders have been conducted in (sub)tropical developing countries where exposure to multiple parasites and lifestyle can confound the relationship. We aimed to study the relationship between infection with the fish-borne helminth Opishorchis felineus and specific IgE, skin prick testing and atopic symptoms in Western-Siberia, with lifestyle and hygiene standards of a developed country.

Methods

Schoolchildren aged 7 to 11 years were sampled from one urban and two rural regions. Skin prick tests (SPT) and specific IgE (sIgE) against food and aeroallergens were measured and data on allergic symptoms and on demographic and socio-economic factors were collected by questionnaire. Diagnosis of opisthorchiasis was based on PCR performed on stool samples.

Results

Of the 732 children included, 34.9% had opisthorchiasis. The sensitisation to any allergen when estimated by positive SPT was 12.8%, while much higher, 24.0%, when measured by sIgE. Atopic symptoms in the past year (flexural eczema and/or rhinoconjunctivitis) were reported in 12.4% of the children. SPT was positively related to flexural eczema and rhinoconjunctivitis, but not to wheezing. Opisthorchiasis showed association with lower SPT response, as well as borderline association with low IgE reactivity to any allergen. However, the effect of opisthorchiasis on SPT response was not mediated by IgE, suggesting that opisthorchiasis influences SPT response through another mechanism. Opisthorchiasis also showed borderline association with lower atopic symptoms.

Conclusions

There is a negative association between a chronic helminth infection and skin prick test reactivity even in a developed country.

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