EVALUATING THE CORRELATION BETWEEN IGG ANA IGE RESPONSES IN A RURAL IRAQI POPULATION INFECTED WITH ENTEROBIUS VERMICULARIS

Abstract

Background: Helminths induce an immune response that is typically characterized as a Th2 response with elevated levels of specific antibodies. The interrelationship of total IgE and enterobiasis-specific IgG has been studied poorly to date. A global survey of research indicates that E. vermicularis infection continues to be among the most common helminthic parasites infecting humans globally, but it is especially prevalent in children. Objectives: The purpose of this research was to assess total serum IgE and specific (anti- Enterobius) IgG in infected subjects and to analyze whether there is an association between those antibody responses and Th2-mediated humoral immune response. Methods: This study used a cross-sectional approach in Mosul, Iraq, which involved 32 confirmed E. vermicularis infected subjects, and 36 control subjects who had no E. vermicularis infection. Total serum IgE and specific anti-E. vermicularis IgG concentrations were assessed by quantitative ELISA. Statistical analyses were conducted with t-tests for two means, ANOVA to compare three or more means, Pearson's correlation, and linear regression. Results: In comparison to healthy control subjects, individuals who had been infected showed significantly greater amounts of total IgE (422.0±41.3ng/ml), as well as a significantly greater amount of specific IgG (2,840±320ng/ml) (p<.001). The level of IgE was found to be at least nine times that of the level found in healthy control subjects; likewise, IgG levels were shown to be at least three times those of healthy controls. In addition to demonstrating this difference, a statistically significant positive relationship was also demonstrated for the levels of IgE and IgG among the infected subjects (r=0.68,p<.001); specifically, IgG explained 46% of the variation in IgE levels (R²=.46). Conclusions: Total IgE and specific anti- Enterobius IgG levels increase simultaneously with E. vermicularis infections, which indicates an activation of the Th2 mediated humoral immune response; therefore, this study contributes to our knowledge regarding host-parasite immunodynamics and may help us understand better how antibodies are regulated during enterobiasis.