Detection of Parasitic Infections in Children with Allergic Rhinitis Compared to Healthy Control in Upper Egypt

Abstract

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate parasitic infections in children with allergic rhinitis (AR) referring to a tertiary center in Egypt. Methods: A case-control study was conducted on 139 children (78 males) with allergic rhinitis aged from 6 to 14 years attending Assiut University Hospitals, as well as 70 healthy children as controls. All participants underwent stool analysis, serology for IgG antibodies to Toxocara canis, IgE antibodies to Ascaris lumbricoides, serum IL-5 levels, and urinary leukotriene E4. Results: AR patients showed significantly higher values of absolute eosinophilic count (AEC), IL-5, urinary leukotriene E4, and total IgE than controls. Anti-Ascaris IgE and IgG anti- Toxocara canis were positive in 18.7% and 18% of patients respectively. Giardia infection was detected in stools of 20.1% of patients. Patients with parasitic infections showed significantly higher AEC, serum IL-5, and urinary leukotriene E4 values than those with negative infection and controls. Conclusions: Our study revealed that infections with Ascaris, Toxocara, and Giardia were more common among AR children compared to healthy children and they were significantly associated with disease severity so the infection with these parasites may be a risk factor for AR among Upper Egyptian children.