Helminthiases are neglected parasites that induce changes in the host’s immune response. The study assayed some immunological markers in helminth
infections in children and adolescents. Stool and blood samples were collected
from 276 subjects resident in three rural communities of Rivers and Imo States.
Of these, 98 (35.5%) were infected with one or more of 3 parasitic species, of
which Ascaris lumbricoides 39(39.8%), Ancylostoma duodenale 30(30.6%)and Trichuris
trichiura 29(29.6%) were recovered. Intestinal helminth parasites were identified
using formol-ether concentration. Of the infected subjects, 66 had single species
infections and 32 had multiple infections with two or three helminth species
and children of the 6-10 years age group had the highest incidence. Sera of 60 infected
subjects and 30 controls were evaluated to define immunological serum levels of
IgE, IL-5, IFN-γ and C3 using the ELISA technique, while white blood cell differential counts and
neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) were evaluated using haematology
auto-analyser. Elevation of IL-5, IgE, WBC and eosinophil levels were
demonstrated in the infected groups (p
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