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Research Journal of Immunology

Year: 2020 | Volume: 13 | Issue: 1 | Page No.: 10-15
DOI: 10.3923/rji.2020.10.15
Helminth Infection as Immunomodulator and Therapeutic Agent Against Rheumatoid Arthritis
E.M. Ike, D.A. Dakul, M.B. Matur, J.A. Yohanna, E.C. Onuoha , B.O. Eledo, F.E. Hallie, T.A. Diepreye, O.A. Adaka, L.A. Osuji, F.K. Edeh and N. Nelson-Ebimie

Abstract: Background and Objective: It is hypothesized that helminthic parasites have regulatory effects on auto-immune diseases exhibited through a highly active immune response. This study aims to ascertain the effect of both arthritis and helminths on the immune system of patients to enable further immunological insight into their association which can promote multiple management options. Materials and Methods: Total 100 patients with Rheumatoid arthritis infected with Helminthic parasites in Jos, Nigeria from January-September, 2019. Ethical approval and patient consent were obtained. Concentration and wet preparation methods were used for stool samples for parasites identification. About 3 mL of EDTA blood was used for CD4 count using cyflow, Eosinophil count using both automated method and peripheral blood film method. The data obtained were analyzed by SPSS software version 22. Results: Multiple comparisons of Eosinophil and CD4 in rheumatoid arthritis and helminths co-infection every 6 weeks for 9 months is highly significant (p<0.001) establishing the high presence of helminths infection in causing an immunomodulatory effect of CD4. Conclusion: The finding of this study showed that helminths infection improves the immunological system thereby diminishing the effect of rheumatoid arthritis. Therefore, the helminths parasite can be used for the management of rheumatoid arthritis. It is also recommended that more research should be carried out to harvest the immunological property of these helminth organisms and helminth organisms should be seen as symbiotic organisms, not a parasite.

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How to cite this article
E.M. Ike, D.A. Dakul, M.B. Matur, J.A. Yohanna, E.C. Onuoha, B.O. Eledo, F.E. Hallie, T.A. Diepreye, O.A. Adaka, L.A. Osuji, F.K. Edeh and N. Nelson-Ebimie, 2020. Helminth Infection as Immunomodulator and Therapeutic Agent Against Rheumatoid Arthritis. Research Journal of Immunology, 13: 10-15.

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