Microfilarial clearance in loiasis involves elevation of Th1 and Th2 products and emergence of a specific pattern of T-cell populations.

Abstract

Diethylcarbamazine (DEC) induced clearance of microfilaraemia in loiasis is associated with severe posttreatment reactions. To define the switch from hypo- to hyper-responsiveness associated with DEC treatment, phenotypic alterations of T-lymphocytes, characterized by flow cytometry, and cytokines, determined by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay, were monitored in a microfilaraemic patient. In contrast to reports on onchocerciasis and lymphatic filariases, no elevation of interleukin (IL)-6 and tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha was observed. The most severe side effects coincided with an elevation of interferon (IFN)-gamma on day 3, followed by IL-10, transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta 2 and macrophage inflammatory protein-1 alpha (MIP-1 alpha) peaking on day 5. Phenotypically, T-cell activation markers CD38, CD54 and CD25 were significantly expressed before treatment, with high CD38 expression still existing one year after clearance of microfilaraemia. Treatment-related increases were observed with anti-CD122, anti-HLA-DR and anti-CD69. CD28 was expressed before treatment on almost 100% of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells and dropped to 20% by day 5, reaching again baseline levels on day 21. Furthermore, there emerged 20% TCR alpha beta+/CD3+ T cells and 10% anti-beta V5(c)+ T cells, altogether indicating a specific pattern of T-helper (Th) 1 and Th2 cytokines as well as expansion of certain pauciclonal T-cell populations in response to microfilarial clearance.

• Authors: S Winkler, S Paiha, H Winkler, W Graninger, M Marberger, G E Steiner
• Journal: Parasite immunology (Parasite Immunol) Vol. 18 Issue 9 Pg. 479-82 (Sep 1996) ISSN: 0141-9838 [Print] England
• PMID: 9226684 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Cytokines
• Filaricides
• Diethylcarbamazine

Topics

• Adult
• Animals
• Cytokines (blood)
• Diethylcarbamazine (adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Female
• Filaricides (adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Host-Parasite Interactions (immunology)
• Humans
• Loa (drug effects, immunology, isolation & purification)
• Loiasis (drug therapy, immunology, parasitology)
• Lymphocyte Activation
• Microfilariae (drug effects, immunology, isolation & purification)
• Th1 Cells (immunology)
• Th2 Cells (immunology)