Repeated albendazole treatments enhance Th2 responses to Ascaris lumbricoides but not aeroallergens in children from rural communities in the Tropics

Geohelminth infections are associated with a modulation of immunity to parasite antigens and aeroallergens that may be affected by anthelmintic treatment. To investigate this, we compared cytokine responses between children that had received repeated doses of albendazole over a year or no treatment. Whole blood was cultured with Ascaris antigen and house dust mite and cockroach allergens and IL-5, IL-13, IFN-γ, and IL-10 were measured. Anthelmintic treatment was associated with enhanced production of Th2 cytokines to parasite antigen, but did not affect responses to aeroallergens. The data indicate that long-term treatment may be associated with increased antiparasite Th2 immunity.