relationship between serum ige and intestinal parasites

intestinal parasitosis has been a major public health problem in iran. it is necessary to evaluate an up-date data in this regard to be used by local authorities. serum ige determinations and coproparasitological analyses were conducted on 1200 individuals in city of ghaemshahr, mazandaran province, northern iran. a total of 1200 subjects were taken stool samples for three days consecutively. two hundred and ninety seven cases (24.7%0) were positive for parasitic diseases. the age group of 8-15 years old encompassed the highest rate of infection which showed a significant difference with the other groups (p< 0.01). no significant difference was detected between males and females as to the rate of infection based on the chi-squared test (14.2% vs. 10.6%), but a significant difference was seen between infection rate and cases education (p<0.01). an about 5-fold elevation in serum ige level was demonstrated. intervention programs including health education and environmental sanitation are recommended.