Tb Parasitic Infections
Protozoa infection, another type of parasitic infection, is common in urban areas lacking clean water access and may result in severe
malnutrition as a consequence of chronic diarrhea or anorexia. Protozoa
infection can be asymptomatic and may result in elevated levels of cytokines such as interferon-γ (IFN-γ), a critical mediator in the host
immune response to Mycobacterium tuberculosis. We report on the relationship between various parasite infections, including protozoa infection, and TB among children. We conducted this case–control study in two of five
health regions in the Lima metropolitan area as described. Parasite infestation, with protozoa pathogens in particular, is common in Lima, with more than 40% of adults and children infected. Eligible cases were children < 15 years of age who received an initial TB diagnosis at the Instituto Nacional de Salud del Niño, the main pediatric
tuberculosis referral center in Peru, or a participating
health clinic during the study period of February 2010–September 2011. Healthy controls (i.e., no chronic cough or fever) without a
history of TB were identified by using a random walk or friend referral and matched to cases by neighborhood, age, and enrollment date. Ethical approval for this study protocol was granted by the Office of Human Research
Administration at the Harvard School of Public
Health in Boston, Massachusetts and the Instituto Nacional de Salud del Niño in Lima, Peru. Guardians provided informed consent, and children ≥ 8 years of age provided informed assent.
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