Immunomodulatory Activity of Helminth Infection in Inflammatory Bowel Disorder

Background and Objective: The co-existence of Helminths with their human hosts over many years has created mutual benefits from each other. Helminths induce immunoregulation and immunosuppression that stop the death or expulsion of the parasite thereby enhancing its fitness, while on the side of the host, preventing inflammatory reactions and another harmless antigen thereby hindering primary and secondary pathologies produced against it. This study aims to evaluate the immunomodulatory activity of Helminth infection in inflammatory bowel disorder with the potential of a better treatment option. Materials and Methods: This case study was conducted on 100 patients with inflammatory bowel disorder with Helminth parasites in Jos and its environs, Plateau State, Nigeria between January and September, 2019. Stool samples collected were used to identify the parasites using the concentration method and wet preparations. About 3 mL of individual blood were put into an EDTA bottle and were used for CD4 count using cyflow and Eosinophil count using both automated method and peripheral blood film methods. The data obtained were analyzed by SPSS software version 22. Results: Multiple comparisons of Eosinophil and CD4 in inflammatory bowel disease and Helminths co-infections every 6 weeks for months shows significant (p<0.001) establishing the high presence of Helminth infections in causing immunomodulatory effect of CD4. Conclusion: The finding of this work shows that significant change in the immune system could take place every 6 weeks. We also established that Helminth infections’ immunomodulatory activity improves the immunological system thereby diminishing the effect of inflammatory bowel disease.