Cytokine Profiles Associated with Schistosomiasis in Khartoum State and New Halfa City- Sudan

Abstract

The main aim of this study was to determine the prevalence rate of schistosomiasis and measurement of cytokines and immunoglobulins associated with schistosomiasis in New Halfa city in Eastern Sudan and Al Kalakla area in Khartoum State. Cross-sectional study was carried out during the period between March 2011 to October 2011. A total number of 770 surveyed population (age between 4-85 years old, mean age was 23 years) were included in this study. Faecal, urines and blood samples were taken from all subjects. Clinical, parasitological and epidemiological data was obtained and recorded. One hundred twelve out of 770 (14.5%) faecal specimens were found to be positive for S. mansoni when examined by direct wet mount and Kato-Katz technique and 3 out of 770 (0.4%) were found to be positive for S. haematobium. For detection of human Th1/Th2/Th9/Th17/Th22 cytokines, 305 serum samples (110 with a current infection with S. mansoni, 60 that had had a previous infection and 135 uninfected( were examined. 13 cytokines (IL-2, IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL- 4, IL-5, IL-13, IL-17A, IL-22, IL-6, IL-10, IL-9, IL-1β and IL-12p70) were analyzed in individual sera. All these cytokines compared in two groups (infected and uninfected) by using Mann-Whitney test and in three groups (infected, infected before and uninfected) by using Kruskal-Wallis test. All above cytokines were compared with factors such as age, sex and race which were associated with cytokines levels. Also, were compared with treatment, Kato-Katz technique and intensity of S. mansoni. All above cytokines which were detected in the study showed significant differences when were compared with gender, Kato-Katz technique and treatment. For detection of human total IgE, 764 serum samples were examined. The relation between the mean of total IgE and S. mansoni infection was significant (p value was less than 0.05, p=0.000). On the other hand, 575 serum samples were examined for soluble egg antigens (SEA) specific immnoglobulins ELISA (SEA IgG2, IgG3, IgG4 and IgE). All immunoglobulins which were detected in the study showed significant differences when were compared with gender, Kato-Katz technique and treatment. This study indicated that S. mansoni is quite prevalent in New Halfa but there is no S. haematobium. However in Khartoum, there are a few cases of S. haematobium but no S. mansoni. S. mansoni-infected individuals have more IL-10 and IL-1β than those with no infection. S. mansoni- previously infected individuals have more IL-5, IL-13 and IL-12 than those with recent infection. SEA-specific IgG4 is higher in individuals infected with S. mansoni. Serum total IgE which were detected in the study showed significant differences when were compared with gender, Kato- Katz technique and treatment.