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Long‐term periodic anthelmintic treatments are associated with increased allergen skin reactivity

Abstract:

Background The low prevalence of allergic disease in the rural tropics has been attributed to the protective effects of chronic helminth infections. There is concern that treatment‐based control programmes for these parasites may lead to an increase in the prevalence of allergic diseases. Objective We measured the impact of 15–17 years of anthelmintic treatment with ivermectin on the prevalence of allergen skin test reactivity and allergic symptoms in school‐age children. Methods The prevalence of allergen skin test reactivity, exercise‐induced bronchospasm and allergic symptoms was compared between school‐age children living in communities that had received community‐based treatments with ivermectin (for onchocerciasis control) for a period of 15–17 years with those living in geographically adjacent communities that had received no ivermectin. Results The prevalence of allergen skin test …