The relation between serum fatty acids and soil-transmitted helminthiasis in the Philippines.

The purpose of this study was observe the effects of soil-transmitted helminthiasis on the amounts of fatty acids in the serum. The subjects were 32 females with age ranging from 15 to 55 years old (22.6 +/- 12.0). The intensity of infection was light based on the criteria of the WHO Expert Committee. Seven fatty acids and serum cholesterol were determined, with the pentadecanoic acid (C15: 0) as internal standard. Serum fatty acid levels were correlated with age-group, dietary habit and body mass index. These factors were however not related with the levels of the serum fatty acids. But the amounts of palmitic acid and stearic acid in the infected group were markedly reduced as compared with the non-infected group.