Parasitic Infection as a Risk Factor for Childhood Asthma in Upper Egypt
Background: Asthma and allergic diseases are serious public health problems in many middle and low-income countries. We examined the relationship between parasitic infection and the development and severity of asthma among children living in Assiut Governorate, Upper Egypt. Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted on 140 children suffering from bronchial asthma (78 males and 62 females) aged from 5 to 14 years attending Assiut University Children Hospital. As well as 70 apparently healthy children with matched age and sexas controls. Beside meticulous history taking and clinical examination all patients and controls undergone; pulmonary function test, stool analysis, antibodies to Toxocara canis, antibodies to Ascaris lumbricoides,IL-5 level and Leukotriene E4. Results: Ascaris lumbricoides and Toxocara canis infections were detected in sera of 26 (18.6%), 26 (18.6%) patients respectively, whereas Giardia infection was detected in stool of 28 (20%) of patients. Among patients infected with Ascaris 15,9, and 2 patients had severe, moderate and mild asthma respectively.
