There is little information concerning asthma severity and sensitization to Ascaris lumbricoides in pediatric patients.

MATERIAL AND METHODS:

The relationship between sensitization to Ascaris lumbricoides and asthma severity in 219 patients with a high prevalence of parasitic exposure (IgE antibodies) was studied by using linear, multivariate and logistic regression.

RESULTS:

Sensitization to Ascaris lumbricoides was associated with positive skin tests for aeroallergens, increased total serum IgE, increased eosinophils, reductions in FEV1 and FEV1/FVC ratio, increased airway Methacholine, bronchodilator responsiveness, and hospitalizations for asthma in the past year.

CONCLUSIONS:

Sensitization to Ascaris lumbricoides is associated with increased severity of asthma among Romanian children. This association is mediated by a high degree of atopy among the asthma children sensitized to Ascaris lumbricoides and belonging to a population with a low prevalence of helminthiasis.