PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Nils Oskar Jogi
AU  - Randi Jacobsen Bertelsen
AU  - Torgeir Storaas
AU  - Vivi Schlünssen
AU  - William Horsnell
AU  - Cecilie Svanes
TI  - Serum anti-Ascaris IgG concentration and lung function in a multi-centre Northern-European cohort
AID  - 10.1183/13993003.congress-2020.2073
DP  - 2020 Sep 07
TA  - European Respiratory Journal
PG  - 2073
VI  - 56
IP  - suppl 64
4099  - http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/56/suppl_64/2073.short
4100  - http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/56/suppl_64/2073.full
SO  - Eur Respir J2020 Sep 07; 56
AB  - Rationale: Ascaris infections are common with an estimated worldwide prevalence of over 10%; infections are assumed to occur primarily in low/middle income countries. However, data from affluent countries is scarce. The effects of Ascaris migration in the host can cause respiratory pathology; long term consequences of this on lung function are largely unreported.Aims: To examine associations between anti-Ascaris IgG levels, lung function and asthma.Methods: Serum anti-Ascaris IgG concentration was measured (ImmunoCAP), questionnaire and spirometry data was collected in 671 adults aged 18-47 (46% female) from Aarhus, Bergen and Tartu centres of the RHINESSA study. A subset of samples were tested using NovaTec ELISA kits (IgG) and whole worm antigen ELISAs (IgG4).Results: Elevated anti-Ascaris IgG levels were associated with lower FEV1 (-259ml; 95% CI: -252, -69) in men, but not in women. The effect magnitude was comparable to, but independent of, current smoking. Elevated anti-Ascaris IgG levels among men were associated with increased odds of ever having asthma (aOR 5.84; 1.67, 20.37) and >2 asthma symptoms the last 12 months (aOR 3.59: 2.01, 6.47) but not among women. The results were consistent between centres, when using different immunoassays, and when adjusting for allergic sensitization to house dust mite (potential cross-reactivity).Conclusions: Anti-Ascaris IgG in serum was associated with lower lung function and increased asthma risk in men. These findings highlight the need to explore further the role of helminths on lung health, to address exposure in both high and low/middle income countries and to be cognisant of significant gender differences influencing disease risk.FootnotesCite this article as: European Respiratory Journal 2020; 56: Suppl. 64, 2073.This abstract was presented at the 2020 ERS International Congress, in session “Respiratory viruses in the "pre COVID-19" era”.This is an ERS International Congress abstract. No full-text version is available. Further material to accompany this abstract may be available at www.ers-education.org (ERS member access only).