Evaluation of Immunological Markers in Children Infected with Intestinal Parasites in Three Communities, Nigeria

Helminthiases are neglected parasites that induce changes in the host’s immune response. The study assayed some immunological markers helminth infections children and adolescents. Stool blood samples were collected from 276 subjects resident three rural communities of Rivers Imo States. Of these, 98 (35.5%) infected with one or more 3 parasitic species, which Ascaris lumbricoides 39 (39.8%), Ancylostoma duodenale 30 (30.6%) Trichuris trichiura 29 (29.6%) recovered. Intestinal identified using formol-ether concentration. subjects, 66 had single species 32 multiple two 6 - 10 years age group highest incidence. Sera 60 controls evaluated to define serum levels IgE, IL-5, IFN-γ C3 ELISA technique, while white cell differential counts neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) haematology auto-analyser. Elevation WBC eosinophil demonstrated groups (p control. Their concentrations across different also significantly = 0.0001), 5 lowest 0 years. Differences among non-parasitized, single-parasitized poly-parasitized not statistically significant. Neutrophil, lymphocyte NLR between control different. result suggested total increased infections, children.