Cytokine responses to mitogen and Schistosoma haematobium antigens are different in children with distinct infection histories

Scott, J. T. , Turner, C.M. R., Mutapi, F., Woolhouse, M. E.J., Ndhlovu, P. D. and Hagan, P. (2001) Cytokine responses to mitogen and Schistosoma haematobium antigens are different in children with distinct infection histories. Parasite Immunology, 23(10), pp. 519-526. (doi: 10.1046/j.1365-3024.2001.00409.x) (PMID:11696162)

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Abstract

Prevalence of Schistosoma haematobium infection in children from two neighbouring villages in Zimbabwe was 77·1% and 40·3%, respectively. The age‐intensity data indicated peak intensities of infection at a lower age in the high prevalence village. This study investigated whether the difference in infection histories was reflected in a difference in cytokine profiles between children resident in these two villages. Blood samples were taken to assay for cytokine secretion 1 year after treatment for schistosomiasis. They were cultured with phytohaemagglutinin (PHA), schistosome egg antigens (SEA) or cultured without stimulant and tested for the presence of interleukin (IL)‐4, IL‐5, IL‐10, granulocyte‐macrophage colony‐stimulating factor (GM‐CSF) and IFN‐γ. Blood samples from children from the low prevalence village were more likely to produce IL‐4 (P < 0·0001) and produced higher levels of IFN‐γ (P < 0·02) and GM‐CSF (P < 0·03) when cultured with PHA for 24 h. Residence in the high prevalence village was associated with production of IL‐10 (P < 0·006) and GM‐CSF (P < 0·04) in response to culture with SEA and IL‐5 (P < 0·02) with PHA for 48 h. The interaction between age and village was not significant for these results; however, there was a significant interaction between age and village for IL‐5 detected in blood samples cultured with PHA for 24 h (P < 0·01). These results concur with previous observations that major patterns of cytokine production can be related to immunosuppression, but also indicate an underlying pattern which reflects the importance of history of infection to the immune response.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Hagan, Professor Paul and Turner, Professor Charles and Scott, Dr Janet
Authors: Scott, J. T., Turner, C.M. R., Mutapi, F., Woolhouse, M. E.J., Ndhlovu, P. D., and Hagan, P.
College/School:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Infection & Immunity
College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Infection & Immunity > Centre for Virus Research
Journal Name:Parasite Immunology
Publisher:Blackwell Science
ISSN:0141-9838
ISSN (Online):1365-3024

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