Relationship between tropical endemic limbo-conjunctivitis and intestinal helminths in a population of Cameroonian children

Abstract

Background: Tropical endemic limbo-conjunctivitis (TELC) is an allergic limbo-conjunctivitis, very common in children of tropical areas, and often characterized by ocular morbidity. Several studies were devoted to the study of the epidemiological and clinical aspects of TELC in Africa but in Cameroon, no study has ever been conducted on its association with intestinal helminths. The objective of our work was to investigate the association between TELC and intestinal helminths in pupils of Njombe–Cameroon. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study from January to September 2014. Random consecutive sampling was carried out. Selected pupils underwent a comprehensive eye examination, and their stool sample was examined using the KATO-KATZ technic to search for helminths eggs. Statistical tests were used for data analysis (p-value <0.05). Results: Two hundred and fifty-three students were enrolled. Thirty-six (14.2%) were affected by TELC. The average age of children with TELC was 9 ± 2 years (range: 4–13 years) with a male predominance (p = 0.001). Conjunctival hyperemia (88.9%) was the major clinical sign with a predominance of limbic clinical form (58.4%). The prevalence of intestinal helminths was 28.1% in the general population vs. 33.3% in participants with TELC. TELC was not associated with intestinal helminths. Conclusion: The prevalence of TELC (14.2%) is low in our study. Male sex was associated to TELC. The overall frequency of intestinal helminth infection was 28.1% and the one amongst patients with TELC was 33.3%. Despite the presence of intestinal helminth infection in our population, it was not associated with TELC.

Keywords:

• tropics
• limbo-conjunctivitis
• helminths
• allergy
• child
• Cameroon

Public Interest Statement

Tropical endemic limbo-conjunctivitis (TELC) is a chronic allergic eye disease, very common in children of tropical areas, and often characterized by severe ocular complications. Several studies were devoted to the study of different aspects of TELC in Africa.

This paper aims to give an overview on the relationship between this chronic conjunctivitis and helminths. Although these two diseases are frequent in Cameroon, any research on their association has never been carried out. The goal of our study was therefore to determine if there was a relationship between them.

According to our results, the prevalence of TELC (14.2%) is low in the area of Njombe–Cameroon. Male sex was associated to TELC. The overall frequency of intestinal helminth infection was 28.1% and the one amongst patients with TELC was 33.3%. Despite the presence of intestinal helminth infection in our population, it was not associated with TELC.

Competing Interests

The authors declare no competing interest.

Author’s contributions

All authors contributed to all parts of the study, provided information from literature and critically revised the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final version of the manuscript.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Christelle Domngang Noche

Christelle Domngang Noche is a Senior lecturer/Researcher at the Faculty of Health Sciences and Head of the Ophthalmology unit of Cliniques Universitaires des Montagnes at Université des Montagnes Cameroon.

Our research is especially oriented on the relationship between infectious diseases and the eye and on blindness/visual impairment related to infectious diseases in our environment. We have actually more than 25 publications and communications on the topic (Helicobacter pylori, Toxoplasma gondii, Taenia solium, HIV, …). Our goal is to improve knowledge on these etiologies of ocular morbidity and to contribute to tackle these causes of blindness. Tropical endemic limbo-conjunctivitis is known as common disease with an ocular morbidity. Helminthiasis is also recognized as a public health issue. However, a work on the relationship between these two diseases have not been carried out in our environment. Therefore, this paper brings an overview on this relationship and gives evidence useful for the community and for scientists.