Helminths are positively associated with atopy and wheeze

[MaximilianKohler]

http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/all.12867/abstract

Background
Parasitic helminths are potent immunomodulators and chronic infections may protect against allergy-related disease and atopy. We conducted a cross-sectional survey to test the hypothesis that in heavily helminth-exposed fishing villages on Lake Victoria, Uganda, helminth infections would be inversely associated with allergy-related conditions.

Conclusions
Contrary to our hypothesis, we found little evidence of an inverse relationship between helminths and allergy-related outcomes, but strong evidence that individuals with certain helminths were more prone to atopy in this setting.