Soil-transmitted helminth infection and skin prick test reactivity in children

Schenny Regina Lubis; Lily lrsa; Rita Evalina; Supriatmo Supriatmo; M. Sjabaroeddin

doi:10.14238/pi54.1.2014.52-6

Schenny Regina Lubis Department of Child Health, University of North Sumatera Medical School, H. Adam Malik Hospital
Lily lrsa Department of Child Health, University of North Sumatera Medical School, H. Adam Malik Hospital
Rita Evalina Department of Child Health, University of North Sumatera Medical School, H. Adam Malik Hospital
Supriatmo Supriatmo Department of Child Health, University of North Sumatera Medical School, H. Adam Malik Hospital
M. Sjabaroeddin Department of Child Health, University of North Sumatera Medical School, H. Adam Malik Hospital

DOI: https://doi.org/10.14238/pi54.1.2014.52-6

Keywords: soil-transmitted helminth, skin prick test

Abstract

Background Allergic diseases cause an increasingly large
burden in developed countries and in urban areas of middleincome
countries . Paras itic infections may induce allergic
responses in humans, particularly soil-transmitted helminth
(STH) infections that are prevalent in childhood in developing
countries. Although soil-transmitted helminth infec tions have
been associated with lower prevalence of allergen skin test
reactivity, study outcomes remain inconclusive.
Objective To analyze for an association between STH infections
and skin prick test reactivity in children.
Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study in August 2009
among primary school students aged 7- 12 years, at Secanggang
Subdistrict, Langkat District, North Sumatera Province. Sixty
eight children were recruited in this study consisted of 34 children
with STH infections and the other 34 children without any STH
infection. Soil-transmitted helminth infections were determined
by Kato-Katz stool examination s. All subjects underwent skin
prick tests for seven allergens. Results were con sidered to be
positive if wheal diameters 2: 3 mm and negative when wheal
diameters < 3 mm. Data was an alysed by Chi-square test.
Results Stool examinations revealed that the most common
infec tion was T. trichiura (18/34 subjects), followed by mixed
infections (T. trichiura and A lumbricoides; 12/34 subjects), and
A. lumbricoides (4134 subjects). There was a significant association
between STH infections and negative skin prick test (P= 0.002).
In addition, there were significant associations with negative skin
prick tests for each helminth type: A. lumbricoides (P=0.001) ,
T. trichiura (P=0.01) and mixed infection (P = 0.006). Severe
infection intensity was also significantly associated with negative
skin prick tests (P=0.031) .
Conclusion Children with STH infections tend to have negative
skin prick test results.

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