Bronchoconstriction in Helminthic Infection

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Abstract
In order to determine whether infection by helminthic parasites can be associated with a state of bronchoconstriction, we evaluated the response to the inhalation of a bronchodilator before and after long-term antihelminthic treatment of children in a urban slum of Caracas, Venezuela. In untreated children, a direct association was found between the degree of helminthic infection and the increase in peak expiratory flow rates caused by the bronchodilator. The elimination of the infections was accompanied by a significant decrease in response to the bronchodilator. These results indicate that helminthic infection could contribute to the development of asthmatic conditions in areas where these parasites are endemic.

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