HUBUNGAN INFEKSI CACING USUS DAN ATOPI PADA ANAK SEKOLAH DASAR

The reports of increasing allergy in areas of decreased helminth infestation compared with the endemic areas make the study of the correlation between helminth infestations and allergy very important. It is also supported by researchers showing that low atopy prevalence in helminth infested humans is caused by helminth ability in modulating IgE polyclonal response which could suppress atopy/allergy. On the contrary, some researchers also show different results and make this correlation interesting for further study. This study aimed to determine relationship between helminth infestation and atopy in school children in Anaranda and Nangapanda villages at Ende district, Flores, Nusa Tenggara Timur (NTT). Helminth infestation status was determined by microscopic examination, while skin prick test was performed to study the prevalence of atopy for aeroallergen (mite and cockroach) and food allergen (peanut). ELISA was used to determine the titer of total IgE. Atopy is more prevalent in Anaranda (80.0%) where helminth infestation was also higher (75.6%), while in Nangapanda atopy is 61.8% and helminth prevalence is 65.5%. We found no impact on intestinal helminth infection to atopy (p=0.469). Total IgE titer is significantly higher in atopic children (p=0.031) while not significantly different in intestinal helminth infested children (p=0.607). We conclude that intestinal helminth infestation does not affect atopy manifestation in elementary school children in endemic area.