title: Immune Profile of Honduran Schoolchildren with Intestinal Parasites: The Skewed Response against Geohelminths.
abstract: Soil-transmitted helminth infections typically induce a type-2 immune response (Th2), but no immunoepidemiological studies have been undertaken in Honduras, an endemic country where the main control strategy is children's annual deworming. We aimed to characterize the immune profile of Honduran schoolchildren harbouring these parasitoses. Demographic and epidemiological data were obtained through a survey; nutritional status was assessed through anthropometry; intestinal parasites were diagnosed by formol-ether and Kato-Katz; and blood samples were collected to determine immunological markers including Th1/Th2 cytokines, IgE, and eosinophil levels. A total of 225 children participated in the study, all of whom had received deworming during the national campaign five months prior to the study. Trichuriasis and ascariasis prevalence were 22.2% and 20.4%, respectively. Stunting was associated with both age and trichuriasis, whereas ascariasis was associated with sex and household conditions. Helminth infections were strongly associated with eosinophilia and hyper-IgE as well as with a Th2-polarized response (increased levels of IL-13, IL-10, and IL4/IFN-γratios and decreased levels of IFN-γ). Pathogenic protozoa infections were associated with a Th1 response characterized by elevated levels of IFN-γand decreased IL10/IFN-γratios. Even at low prevalence levels, STH infections affect children's nutrition and play a polarizing role in their immune system.
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Sciences, Brock University, St. Catharines, ON, Canada.
authors.forename: José Antonio
authors.identifier: 0000-0001-7349-9154
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Gabrie
authors.affiliation: School of Microbiology, National Autonomous University of Honduras (UNAH), Tegucigalpa, Honduras.
authors.forename: María Mercedes
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Rueda
authors.affiliation: School of Microbiology, National Autonomous University of Honduras (UNAH), Tegucigalpa, Honduras.
authors.forename: Carol Anahelka
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Rodríguez
authors.affiliation: School of Microbiology, National Autonomous University of Honduras (UNAH), Tegucigalpa, Honduras.
authors.forename: Maritza
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Canales
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Sciences, Brock University, St. Catharines, ON, Canada; Microbiology Research Institute, National Autonomous University of Honduras (UNAH), Tegucigalpa, Honduras.
authors.forename: Ana Lourdes
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-6683-2518
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Sanchez