Ascaris lumbricoides–Induced Interleukin‐10 Is Not Associated with Atopy in Schoolchildren in a Rural Area of the Tropics

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Abstract
BackgroundIn areas where intestinal helminth infections are endemic, infections by these parasites may protect against skin test–measured reactivity to allergens, and it has been suggested that interleukin (IL)–10 may mediate this effect. This study investigated whether IL-10 and populations of IL-10+ T cells may modulate atopy in children living in an area where intestinal helminth infections are endemic MethodsEcuadorian schoolchildren from rural communities were assessed for skin test–measured reactivity to Periplaneta americana allergen and Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus allergen. Blood samples were collected from 39 skin test–positive and 41 skin test–negative children, and peripheral-blood leukocytes were cultured in the presence of Ascaris lumbricoides antigen, to measure IL-10 protein and the frequency of T cell populations expressing intracellular IL-10. We also investigated whether these immunological factors affected the association between allergen-specific IgE and skin test–measured reactivity to aeroallergens ResultsThere was no evidence of association between the level of A. lumbricoides–induced IL-10 protein or IL-10+ T cells and skin test–measured reactivity to allergens. The association between allergen-specific IgE and skin test–measured reactivity was not affected by the level of IL-10 protein or the frequency of IL-10+ T cells ConclusionsThe results of this study do not support the notion that IL-10 plays a role in modulating atopy in children living in a tropical area where intestinal helminth infections are endemic

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