Plasma IgE level and Eosinophil count in smear positive tuberculosis patients with and without helminthic infections at Gondar University Hospital, Northwest Ethiopia

In Sub-Sahara Africa and developing countries, where the prevalence of parasitic infection is very high a dominant Th2 immune response has been reported and suggested to increase susceptibility to mycobacterium tuberculosis infection. Such an imbalance in an increase is Th2 cells favor IgE production. Peripheral eosinophilia is widely recognized as a useful indicator of parasitic diseases mainly of helminthes. the aim of the study was to determine plasma IgE level and blood eosinophil count in smear positive tuberculosis patients with and without helminthic infection. A crossectonal study was conducted. One hundred and twelve smear positive tuberculosis patients were included. Plasma IgE level, and eosinophils count was analyzed and the stool sample was processed for intestinal parasites. The mean concentration of plasma total IgE (828 U/mL) study subjects with helmenthic infection were significantly higher than those without helmenthic infection (668 U/ml) P= 0.045. The peripheral eosinophil count in smear positive TB patients with intestinal helmenthic infection (352/mm) was significantly higher than those without helmenthic infection (112/mm) P= 0.033. Ascaris lumbricoids, Hookworm, Strongloides stercoralis, Trichuris trichiura, and S. mansoni were more prevalent. The prevalence of worm infection in HIV-negative TB patients 31.0%; 18/58) was similar to that of HIV positive patients (25.9%, 14 /54; P=0.39). Intestinal parasitic coinfection in tuberculosis patients up-regulates the Th2 immune response and supports the hypothesis that, there is an increase in the concentration of plasma IgE and peripheral eosinophils.