title: Clonorchis sinensis infection is positively associated with atopy in endemic area.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Epidemiologic studies have suggested that helminth infections play a protective role against allergy; this inverse association, however, has not been consistent. Clonorchis sinensis, the liver fluke of human, is prevalent in the Far East. The association between C. sinensis infection and allergy has not yet been reported.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  We evaluated the association between clonorchiasis and atopy or allergic diseases in adults in endemic areas of clonorchiasis.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 1116 subjects (males 419, females 697; age range, 30-86; mean age=61 years) were recruited from two endemic areas of C. sinensis in Korea. Clonorchiasis was confirmed by stool examination. Allergic symptoms were evaluated with a modified ISAAC questionnaire, and atopy was defined by skin prick test for common inhalant allergens. Total serum IgE and C. sinensis-specific IgE level was measured by ELISA and methacholine bronchial provocation test was performed to evaluate airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Clonorchiasis was positively associated with atopy [odds ratio (OR), 1.856; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.199-2.873] and high levels of total serum IgE (OR, 1.455; 95% CI, 1.050-2.016). Higher association with clonorchiasis was shown in subjects who showed both atopy and high total serum IgE levels (OR, 2.540; 95% CI, 1.448-4.455). Clonorchiasis had no association with wheezing, AHR, asthma or allergic rhinitis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Clonorchiasis was positively associated with atopy in adults in endemic area.
authors.affiliation: Department of Parasitology and Tropical Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Institute of Endemic Diseases, Seoul National University Medical Research Center, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: M-H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.forename: Y-S
authors.initials: YS
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: M K
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Lim
authors.forename: Y M
authors.initials: YM
authors.lastname: Bae
authors.forename: S-T
authors.initials: ST
authors.lastname: Hong
authors.forename: J-K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Oh
authors.forename: E H
authors.initials: EH
authors.lastname: Yun
authors.forename: M-J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Bae
authors.forename: H-S
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Kwon
authors.forename: S-M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: H-W
authors.initials: HW
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: K-U
authors.initials: KU
authors.lastname: Min
authors.forename: Y-Y
authors.initials: YY
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: S-H
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Cho
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000818:Animals; D003003:Clonorchiasis / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology / Q000469:parasitology; D003004:Clonorchis sinensis / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification; D019353:Endemic Diseases; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006969:Hypersensitivity, Immediate / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D056910:Republic of Korea / Q000453:epidemiology; D012882:Skin Tests; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D007073:Immunoglobulin E