What is the relationship between asthma and parasitic worm infections?
JAC / By Jac Allen
What is the relationship between asthma and parasitic worm infections? Infection with the intestinal parasite Strongyloides stercoralis was associated with an increased risk of asthma and its exacerbation (21, 30, 31) and Toxocara species infection resulted in increased allergy and asthma prevalence in children, which positively correlated with serum IgE levels (32–34).
How do parasites cause asthma? Doctors have long been aware that certain parasites, either by an allergic reaction or by migrating through the lungs, may cause paroxysms of wheez ing, coughing and shortness of breath much like bronchial asthma.
Is asthma caused by worms? New research presented here yesterday at the annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (which publishes ScienceNOW) finds that a gene associated with increased risk of asthma is also linked to resistance against a parasitic worm.
Can parasites cause breathing problems? A broad spectrum of protozoal parasites frequently affects the respiratory system, particularly the lungs. The diagnosis of parasitic diseases of airway is challenging due to their wide varieties of clinical and roentgenographic presentations.
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