Abstract
B A C K G R O U N D Helminth infection is an important health challenge. Because of modulation of the
immune response toward T-helper 2 (Th2) cells, the immunologic interplay that manifest during the
coexistence of helminth infection with other conditions is still poorly understood.
O B J E C T I V E This study determined the pattern of alteration in selected cytokines and immunoglobulin
E (IgE) in pregnant women, preschool aged children, and school-aged children with helminth
infection compared with uninfected groups.
M E T H O D S Seventeen pregnant women, 42 preschool-aged children, and 60 school-aged children
with helminth infection (HI) were recruited into this study. They were matched with 21 pregnant women,
42 preschool-aged children, and 50 school-aged children without helminth infection (HN) who served as
controls. Venous blood samples were collected from each participant and analyzed for serum levels of
tumor necrosis factor a (TNF-a), interleukin-10 (IL-10), interleukin-8 (IL-8), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and IgE.
Statistical analysis was done using the Student t test, and P < .05 was considered as statistically
significant.
F I N D I N G S Only serum level of IgE was significantly elevated in HI pregnant women compared with
HN pregnant women. In HI preschool- and school-aged children, serum levels of IL-8, IL-6, and IgE were
significantly elevated compared with HN children. However, preschool- and school-aged children with HI
had similar levels of serum TNF-a and IL-10 compared with their corresponding HN groups.
C O N C L U S I O N S It could be concluded that altered cytokines expression in children and pregnant
women with helminth infection might have some implications on need for deworming programs to
improve pregnancy outcomes and vaccine responses.