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Soil‐transmitted helminth infection and intestinal inflammation among the Shuar of Amazonian Ecuador
Author(s) -
CeponRobins Tara J.,
Gildner Theresa E.,
Schrock Joshua,
Eick Geeta,
Bedbury Ali,
Liebert Melissa A.,
Urlacher Samuel S.,
Madimenos Felicia C.,
Harrington Christopher J.,
Amir Dorsa,
Bribiescas Richard G.,
Sugiyama Lawrence S.,
Snodgrass James J.
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
american journal of physical anthropology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.146
H-Index - 119
eISSN - 1096-8644
pISSN - 0002-9483
DOI - 10.1002/ajpa.23897
Subject(s) - ascaris lumbricoides , trichuris trichiura , immunology , inflammation , helminths , medicine , immune system , helminthiasis , population , trichuris , environmental health
Objectives Little research exists documenting levels of intestinal inflammation among indigenous populations where exposure to macroparasites, like soil‐transmitted helminths (STHs), is common. Reduced STH exposure is hypothesized to contribute to increased prevalence of elevated intestinal inflammation in wealthy nations, likely due to coevolutionary histories between STHs and human immune systems that favored anti‐inflammatory pathways. Here, we document levels of intestinal inflammation and test associations with STH infection among the Shuar of Ecuador, an indigenous population undergoing socioeconomic/lifestyle changes that influence their hygienic environment. We predict that fecal calprotectin (FC; a measure of intestinal inflammation) will be lower in STH infected individuals and that FC will be negatively associated with infection intensity. Methods Stool samples to analyze FC levels and STH infection were collected from 69 Shuar participants (ages 5–75 years). Children (<15 years) and adults (15+ years) were analyzed separately to understand the role of exposure in immune system development and the intestinal inflammatory response. Results Two species of STH were present: Ascaris lumbricoides and Trichuris trichiura . The relationships between infection and intestinal inflammation were age‐ and species‐specific. While no significant relationships were found among adults, children who were singly infected with T. trichiura had lower FC levels than uninfected children. Infection intensity was not significantly associated with FC in children or adults. Conclusions These preliminary results provide limited support for our hypotheses, documenting tentative age‐ and species‐specific associations between FC and infection status. Findings may point to the importance of species‐specific STH exposure during immune system development.