The term "allergy" refers to the body's altered reaction to repeated contact with a certain provocative agent.Allergic diseases are widespread, especially recently.It is believed that almost half of the world's population suffers from some type of allergy.Its manifestations can be found in all age groups.
What causes allergies?
Heredity is of great importance in the development of allergic diseases, but it is important to understand that it is not the disease itself that is inherited, but the characteristics of the immune response that lead to the development of allergies under certain conditions and influences.
Rashes, severe itching and bronchodilator spasms are the most common signs of parasite allergy.
Some factors that contribute to the development of allergies include:
- Pathology of pregnancy in the mother.
- Smoking and other bad habits.
- Bad nutrition.
- Common respiratory diseases.
- The presence of foci of chronic infection in the body.
- From the digestive system: biliary dyskinesia, reflux and helminthiasis.
So to the question: "Can worms provoke and cause allergies?"The answer is definitely yes.
What parasites cause allergic reactions?Many worms have been shown to manifest in this regard, including roundworms, roundworms, and echinococcus.
What's going on?
The negative effect of parasites is due to their direct effect on the intestinal mucosa and their effect on the immune system.In the acute phase of the parasite infection - the first few weeks - the body does not react specifically to the parasite;in the future, the body's reaction may vary depending on the type of helminth, its location and the intensity of the invasion.
The waste materials and toxins of the worms cause the activation of immunocompetent cells, the excessive production of immunoglobulins, especially IgE, and the formation of immune complexes.
Directly at the site of the worms, they cause mechanical damage and trigger a local inflammatory reaction through attachment organs: hooks, suction cups.Parasitic cysts, cysticerci ─ helminth larvae found in the internal organs can mechanically compress the latter.Metabolic processes in the body are disrupted, as the helminth uses the host's nutrients.Worms can neutralize digestive enzymes and interfere with absorption.
Allergies are caused by the toxic waste products of parasites, which have a depressing effect on the human immune system.
Parasites suppress the immune system, releasing enzymes that break down antibodies or disrupt the interaction of immunocompetent cells.Immunosuppression, on the other hand, leads to the process becoming chronic and an even more pronounced weakening of the body.
In this case, the parasite avoids the host's immune response in every possible way.For example, some worms use the phenomenon of antigen mimicry, where they have antigens on their surface that are similar to the antigens of the affected organism.The immune system then no longer detects the presence of foreign genetic material.It can also cause the immune system to attack its own body, causing the person to develop an autoimmune disease.
Immunological data
In the acute phase, the reaction of the immune system dominates in the form of immediate hypersensitivity (atopic reaction).It develops immediately after contact with the antigen.
The first contact with worms leads to the production of IgE by B-lymphocytes.These immunoglobulins have a high affinity for receptors on the surface of mast cells and basophils.The latter contain a large amount of granules with histamine - one of the main mediators of allergic reactions - and other biologically active substances: tryptase, chymase, heparin.E immunoglobulins bind to the surface of mast cells and basophils, thereby sensitizing them.This happens not only at the site of invasion (in the case of helminths in the intestines), but also throughout the body thanks to the general circulation of antibodies.
Upon subsequent contact with the allergen, mast and basophil cells undergo degranulation - the release of their granule contents.
The main biological effects that arise include:
- Contraction of smooth muscles.
- Dilation of blood vessels, increasing their permeability.
- Cell damage.
With the rapid entry of large amounts of these mediators into the blood, the following is possible:
- Skin itching.
- Edema.
- Diarrhea.
- Bronchospasm.
- Drop in blood pressure.
The effect of these mediators leads to the appearance of symptoms of various allergic diseases.As helminthiasis becomes chronic, the worms change their antigenic structure.Not only IgE is produced, but also a large number of other classes of immunoglobulins that mediate other types of body reactions, including the immune complex response - in which damage to body cells is caused by immune complexes circulating in the blood.The same mechanism may underlie the development of autoimmune processes.
Manifestations
Signs of allergy in addition to the symptoms typical of parasitic infections:
- Increased body temperature.
- Skin rashes.
- Edema.
- Lymphadenopathy.
- Pain in joints and muscles.
- Blood tests showed leukocytosis, eosinophilia, basophilia.
- Immunological examination: increased IgE and other immunoglobulins.
- Pulmonary system: cough, pneumonia, pleurisy, bronchospasm.
- Digestive organs: abdominal pain, dyspepsia.
- Enlarged spleen and liver
Diagnostics
If you have allergies or an autoimmune disease, you should keep in mind that this can be caused by a helminthic infection.A well-collected allergy history and the following are important for a correct diagnosis:
- Coprocystoscopy.
- Bacteriological examination of feces.
- Serological tests looking for anti-parasite antibodies.
- Intradermal diagnostic tests with parasite allergens (for example, Kasoni's intradermal test for the diagnosis of echinococcosis).
Treatment and prevention
Getting rid of parasitosis can completely eliminate the allergic disease or alleviate its course.
So, if the cause of the allergy is helminths, antiparasitic treatment is very important.It is part of elimination therapy – it removes the allergen from the body.The aggravation of the disease is stopped, put into remission and maintained by the use of the following drug groups:
- Glucocorticosteroids.
- Antihistamines.
- Beta agonists.
- Membrane stabilizers.
Exactly what products are needed and in what doses depends on the type and severity of the allergy.
At the same time, it is important to correct the accompanying changes in the body associated with parasitosis: hypo- and avitaminosis, anemia and others, as well as adherence to a hypoallergenic diet.The latter consists of excluding highly allergenic foods: milk, eggs, smoked meats, citrus fruits, coffee, alcohol, sweets, etc. The specifics of the diet are determined by the clinical picture of the allergy.
The prevention of allergy caused by parasitic infection is primarily the prevention, identification and treatment of helminthiasis infection.