Host-Parasite Interactions in Individuals with Type 1 and 2 Diabetes Result in Higher Frequency of Ascaris lumbricoides and Giardia lamblia in Type 2 Diabetic Individuals

Abstract EN

Host-parasite interactions in diabetic patients might influence diabetes complications and intestinal parasitosis.

The aim was to investigate the occurrence of enteroparasites in individuals with diabetes types 1 and 2.

A descriptive study was designed to estimate frequencies of parasites and to compare them in individuals with diabetes types 1 and 2 from two Health Centers and one hospital in the Federal District of Brazil.

Patients were allocated to the study by convenience.

Three fecal samples of 156 diabetic individuals (120 type 1 and 36 type 2) were analyzed using two parasitological methods.

Enteroparasites or commensals frequency in diabetics was 64%.

Diabetics infected with up to six species of intestinal parasites or commensals were found.

Frequencies of Ascaris lumbricoides and Giardia lamblia were higher in individuals with type 2 diabetes.

The lower frequency of A.

lumbricoides found in type 1 diabetes may be related to a strong Th2 response to parasites.

Autoimmune response developed in type 1 diabetic individuals characterized by the production of Th1 cytokines could explain low frequency of G.

lamblia.

High frequency of parasites found in type 2 diabetes emphasizes the importance of periodic parasitological examinations in these individuals.