TY - JOUR T1 - Changes in total and specific IgE following treatment with mebendazole in patients with persistent asthma and IgE to Ascaris lumbricoides JF - European Respiratory Journal JO - Eur Respir J VL - 40 IS - Suppl 56 SP - P2348 AU - Rosanna Qualizza AU - Cristoforo Incorvaia AU - Rita Ballerini AU - Romualdo Grande Y1 - 2012/09/01 UR - http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/40/Suppl_56/P2348.abstract N2 - Background Recent studies have reported that patients with ascaridiasis and high IgE levels may suffer from asthma. This study aims at evaluating the changes in total and Ascaris-specific IgE, as well as in symptoms, following anti-helminthic therapy in patients with asthma not controlled with standard drug treatment.Methods 30 adult patients with persistent asthma and high levels of total and Ascaris-specific IgE were included in the study. Though they had been treated by associations of inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) and long-acting beta-agonists (LABA), they shared irregular and unjustified asthma attacks and therefore referred to us in order to have a further check-up. They underwent spirometry, skin prick tests, total and specific IgE (aeroallergens + A. lumbricoides). To all patients a treatment by mebendazole 100 mg b.i.d for 3 days, based on two courses with a 20-day interval, was proposed. After 6 and 12 months, in case of persistent positivity, 2 other courses of mebendazole were prescribed.Results 24 patients underwent the treatment. The mean value of total IgE increased after 6 months of treatment from 1556 to 2206 but decreased after 12 months to 1352 kU/L. Similarly, specific IgE increased from 3.1 to 4.5 after 6 months and decreased to 2.4 kU/L after 12 months. Spirometry showed a basal FEV1 mean value of 59% and a rise to 71% after 6 months and to 78% after 12 months.Conclusion These findings confirm the association between Ascaris infestation and allergy-like symptoms and demonstrate that antiparasitic therapy remarkably reduces asthma attacks in patients who show high levels of total and specific IgE for A. lumbricoides. ER -