New allergens of relevance in tropical regions: The impact of ascaris lumbricoides infections

Abstract

One of the many aspects of the relationships between parasite infections and allergic diseases is the possibility that allergens from parasites enhance the TH2 responses, especially IgE production, in allergic diseases such as asthma. In this review we discuss about the allergenic composition of the nematode Ascaris lumbricoides and their potential impact on allergy sensitization and asthma pathogenesis and prevalence in populations living in thetropics and naturally exposed to both, mite allergens and helminth infections. Copyright © 2011 by World Allergy Organization.