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Cited by 202Parasites and Host InteractionsAsthma and respiratory diseasesParasitic Diseases Research and Treatment

Interactions between helminth parasites and allergy

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Cooper, Philip J·2009·Current Opinion in Allergy & Clinical Immunology
DOI 10.1097/aci.0b013e32831f44a6PMC PMC2680069
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Abstract

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To review the findings of recent human studies of the association between helminth parasite infections and allergy and discuss their potential relevance to public health. RECENT FINDINGS: Different helminth parasites may have different effects on allergy that may depend on the timing or intensity of the exposure or host genetic factors. Infections with Trichuris trichiura in early life are associated with a reduced prevalence of allergen skin test reactivity later in life and infants of helminth-infected mothers have been reported to have a reduced prevalence of eczema. Hookworm infection has been associated with a reduced prevalence of asthma in Ethiopia. Several studies have reported that anti-Ascaris IgE is an important risk factor for asthma, but this could be explained by an enhanced ability of atopics to produce IgE. Toxocara infections may be associated with an increased risk of wheeze in some populations that may be caused by the host response to the parasite or by parasite-enhanced Th2 responses to aeroallergens. SUMMARY: Although helminth infections can modulate the host inflammatory response directed against the parasite, a causal association between helminths and atopic diseases remains uncertain.

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  • Field infections with helminths such as Trichuris trichiura in early life are associated with a reduced prevalence of allergies later in life, and infants of helminth-infected mothers have a reduced prevalence of eczema.

    “Regarding field infections with helminths such as Trichuris trichiura in early life, these are associated with a reduced prevalence of allergies later in life and infants of helminth-infected mothers have a reduced prevalence of eczema.”

    From A One Health Perspective on the Human-Companion Animal Relationship with Emphasis on Zoonotic Aspects. (2020) · cites this paper as [231]

    The Abstract’s Recent findings and the Helminths and atopy section associate early T. trichiura infection with reduced allergen skin-test reactivity later in childhood, not with a reduced prevalence of allergies broadly. The Helminths and eczema section reports reduced eczema risk among infants of mothers infected at delivery. The Public health importance section cautions that there is no compelling evidence that helminths protect against atopic diseases generally. (LLM, conf=0.88)

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References 74 · Cited by 202

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Authors
Cooper, P. J.
Affiliations
St George's, University of London (GB)
Corresponding author
Cooper, Philip J
ORCID
Cooper, Philip J
Venue
Current Opinion in Allergy & Clinical Immunology
Publisher
Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health)
Published
2009-02
Volume
9
Issue
1
Pages
29-37
ISSN
  • 1473-6322 (ISSN-L)
  • 1528-4050
DOI
10.1097/aci.0b013e32831f44a6
PMC
PMC2680069
OpenAlex
W2110536082
Cited by
202
References
74
Citations by year
2026: 5 · 2025: 4 · 2024: 1 · 2023: 7 · 2022: 6 · 2021: 10 · 2020: 13 · 2019: 12 · 2018: 16 · 2017: 9 · 2016: 10 · 2015: 14 · 2014: 15 · 2013: 22 · 2012: 18
FWCI
1.54
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Current Opinion in Allergy and Clinical Immunology (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
Funders
Wellcome Trust (072405, 074679)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Immunology and Microbiology › Parasitology › Parasites and Host Interactions
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Asthma and respiratory diseases
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Infectious Diseases › Parasitic Diseases Research and Treatment
Keywords
helminths, allergy, atopic diseases, Trichuris trichiura, hookworm infection, Ascaris, Toxocara, asthma, atopic dermatitis, wheezing, IgE, Th2 immune response, host genetic factors, allergen sensitization
MeSH terms
Animals, Antibodies, Helminth, Antigens, Helminth, Helminthiasis, Helminths, Host-Parasite Interactions, Humans, Hypersensitivity, Immunoglobulin E, Immune Tolerance, Risk Factors

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