REGULATION OF ASTHMA BY INTESTINAL PARASITES - INVESTIGATION OF POSSIBLE MECHANISMS

Abstract

The serum Ig[immunoglobulin]E levels of asthmatic subjects from Papua, New Guinea (PNG) were similar to those of corresponding control subjects but significantly higher than Caucasian asthmatics from Western Australia (AUS). The levels of IgE antibodies to Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (RAST [radioallergosorbent test] units) were similar in both asthmatic groups. The mite-specific IgE antibody levels were independent of those to Ascaris and hookworm, suggesting that antigenic competition is not a factor of importance in sensitization to environmental allergens in the tropics. The low prevalence of allergic disease in tropical areas where parasitism is endemic apparently cannot be attributed to mast cell blockade through saturation of IgE receptors.