Differences in Immunological and Inflammatory Biomarkers Levels in People Infected with Ascaris lumbricoides according to Different Age Groups.

BACKGROUND: Prevalent parasite infection, Ascaris lumbricoides affects millions of people globally, especially in inadequate sanitation and hygiene. Swallowing A. lumbricoides eggs from contaminated food, water, or soil causes infection. This study examines age-related differences in interleukin levels and immunological response. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, the samples were collected from A. lumbricoides-infected persons diagnosed by a general stool examination and divided into six age groups. The study comprised 180 samples from Al-Habbobi and Al-Nassiriya teaching hospitals and private clinics across six age groups. The control group had 90 worm-free samples. Forty samples were removed for not meeting the research criteria. The study assessed C-reactive protein (CRP), IL4, IL5, and TNF-a by ELISA and WBC count by Sysmex CBC. Anova, Mann-Whitney, and t-tests showed biological indicator differences between groups. RESULTS: Significant increases in CRP, WBC, Interleukin-4, and Interleukin-5 were observed in all study groups across 6 age groups compared to the control group (P ≤ 0.01). TNF levels decreased significantly in the first group compared to the control group (P ≤ 0.01), but they increased significantly in the other groups (P ≤ 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The high number of white blood cells indicates the presence of inflammation. In addition, high CRP levels indicate the severity of the infection caused by the parasite. Because of the immune response carried out by the immune system as a means of defense against the parasite, this leads to high levels of interleukin-4, interleukin-5 and TNF-alpha.