Children with moderate‐high infection with Entamoeba coli have higher percentage of body and abdominal fat than non‐infected children

Abstract

These findings raise the possibility that a moderate or heavy infection with E. coli may contribute to fat deposition and thereby have long-term consequences on human health. Further studies are needed to better understand if E. coli contributes directly to fat deposition and possible mechanisms.

Intestinal parasites: Associations with intestinal and systemic inflammation

“…A sample size of 284 children was calculated to find differences in terms of body fat, which was studied as the main outcome in a previous study in this population. 8 This sample size also allows to find differences in TNFα concentration between infected and parasitefree children, with an estimated prevalence of infection of 20% and an estimated standard deviation of 3 pg/mL for TNFα, assuming a type I error of 5% and a statistical power of 80%. 20 Once the children were selected for inclusion, legal guardians were asked to attend the community health clinic to answer a socioeconomic and medical history questionnaire, including queries of mother's educational level, sex and age of the children.…”

“…5,6 Interestingly, these parasites have been associated with the same molecules involved in the systemic inflammatory process. 7,8 For instance, soil-transmitted helminths (STHs) can regulate systemic inflammation via a response dominated by anti-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-10, regulating the concentration of the inflammatory cytokines secreted by adipose tissue such as TNFα, IL-6 and leptin. [9][10][11] In addition to its role in inflammation processes, leptin is a hormone with other roles in human metabolism such as regulation of energy intake/expenditure, hematopoiesis and gut permeability.…”

Are intestinal parasites associated with obesity in Mexican children and adolescents?

“…Recent studies have shown that certain viral and bacterial infections are associated with obesity ( nfectobesity ) [5][6][7][8]. However, studies on the association between parasite infections and obesity are still scarce [9][10][11].…”

“…According to the last health and nutrition survey of Mexico (ENSANUT 2012) Mexico has a combined prevalence of overweight and obesity of approximately 70% in adults and 30% in children [21,22]. Approximately 50% of the total population is infected with one or more species of intestinal parasites [23,24] with A. lumbricoides being the most common intestinal helminth infection, and E. coli the most prevalent intestinal protozoan infection [11,25]. In a previous study, we found intestinal protozoa infection, particularly Entamoeba coli (E. coli) infection was associated with a higher percentage of body fat and food intake, while Ascaris lumbricoides (A.…”

“…lumbricoides) infection was associated with a lower food intake in children [11]. The objective of this ecological study is to test if children living in states with high (reported) incidence of intestinal parasitic infection have higher BMIz and higher BMIz later in life.…”