Eosinophils and Parasitic Infections

Abstract

Background: Eosinophils dysregulate immune responses associated with malignancies, allergic and parasitic diseases especially helminthic infections, though it is infrequently observed with protozoan diseases. Objective: The aim of the present study was to evaluate and compare the percentage of eosinophils in different parasitic diseases at Baqiyatallah Hospital, Tehran, Iran. Materials and Methods: One hundred and 72 samples were obtained from 74 and 98 patients with helminthic and protozoan diseases respectively and evaluated. Direct wet mount and formalin ether concentration were used for intestinal parasites identification. Scotch tape test and serological methods were utilized for diagnosis of Enterobius vermicularis and tissue parasites respectively. Eosinophils were counted and six or more percentages were considered as eosinophilia. Results: In general, in 34 out of 74 helminthic infections (45.9%) and 5 out of 98 protozoan infections (5.1%), an eosinophil level equal or more than 6% was observed. The rate of eosinophilia in helminthic infections were 13/18 (72.2%), 7/11 (63.6%), 3/10 (30%), 2/3 (66.7%), 1/9 (11.11%), 5/13 (38.5%), 3/4 (75%) in the patients with fasciolosis, strongyloidiasis, hymenolepiasis, hookworm infection, enterobiasis, echinococcosis, and trichostrongyliasis, respectively. Concerning the protozoan infections, 3/26(11.5%) and 2/20(10%) of the individuals suffering from giardiasis and blastocystosis showed an eosinophil level higher than normal range, respectively. Conclusion: As expected, helminthic infections especially fasciolosis and strongyloidiasis were the most important infections correlated with eosinophilia. According to available reports, eosinophilia higher than normal range in giardiasis and blastocystosis is not unexpected.

Peripheral blood eosinophilia in adult asthmatic patients and its association with the severity of asthma

“…Based on the findings of this study, the absolute eosinophil count was higher among patients who were infected with intestinal parasitic infections than among patients who were not infected with intestinal parasitic infections. This finding was supported by different studies [ 47 , 48 ]. The possible explanation might be due to the production and activation of eosinophils induced by IL-5, which is secreted by Th2 cells.…”

The effect of Trichomnas Muris parasite on some blood standards in mice.

“…As for the preparation of neutrophils. It showed a significant increase, especially in those with a bilateral infection, which means that a bilateral infection is able to stimulate the immune response compared to a single infection that cannot stimulate the immune system and a decrease in the numbers of lymphocytes in these animals may be attributed to the migration of these cells to the tissues and the status of cellular filtration [13]. The decrease in the number of white blood cells in mice may be due to the breakdown of white blood cells, especially lymph from them, or it may be due to the rapid flow of white blood cells from the bloodstream into the lymph nods [9].…”