Malaria,
helminthiasis and HIV are widespread in developing countries taking a heavy toll on pregnant women. Due to similar environmental and human factors of transmission, they co-exist. The epidemiology and pathology of these diseases have been extensively studied but data on serum
cytokine profile changes which is crucial in pregnancy is limited. The aim of this study was to evaluate the
co-infections and their impact on peripheral blood
cytokines. Blood and stool samples were collected from recruited 18-45-year-old pregnant women in different trimesters who were apparently healthy with no obvious complications in pregnancy. Pretested questionnaires were administered for personal and socio-demographic details.
Malaria parasitemia in Giemsa-stained thick blood films was examined microscopically. Stool samples were screened for helminths using Kato-Katz method.
Cytokine levels of TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-1α,
IL-2,
IL-4,
IL-6,
IL-10, IL-12p70,
IL-13 and
IL-17 in 121 serum samples were determined using ELISA. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and Mann-Whitney U test at α0.05. Relative to the single
infections, there were significant reductions in IFN-γ and
IL-13 in second and third trimesters respectively in those with Plasmodium and helminth
co-infection. IFN-γ and
IL-17 were elevated while IL-1α and IL-12p70 were reduced in
co-infection of helminths and HIV.
Co-infection of Plasmodium and HIV in second and third trimesters showed significant elevations in IL-1α,
IL-10 and
IL-17 while TNF-α,
IL-4 and IL-12p70 were significantly reduced. HIV in pregnancy and its
co-infection with Plasmodium resulted in significant distortions in the
cytokine profile. However, helminth and its
co-infection with Plasmodium or HIV produced less changes in the
cytokine profile.