Irritable bowel syndrome in Upper Egypt: The role of intestinal parasites and evidence of Th2 response

A significant number of patients with symptoms suggestive of IBS demonstrated evidence of parasitic infection in their stool samples. The IL-5 serum level, eosinophilic count and ECP serum level might be useful tests for detecting parasitic infection aetiology in IBS patients after exclusion of conditions inducing the Th2 response. Larger case-controlled studies are required to clearly define the parasitic pathophysiology in IBS.