Infection with helminths can modulate the host immune response, which ultimately shape morbidity and mortality of the associated diseases. We studied key
cytokines for essential immune response in sera from 229 southeastern China individuals infected with Clonorchis sinensis and 60 individuals without C. sinensis
infection, and measured serum specific
IgG and
IgE against worms in these people. Individuals infected with C. sinensis had significantly higher
antigen-specific
IgG and
IgE levels, which were positively correlated with egg counts in feces. However, less enhancement of
IgE antibody was observed in females when compared to males with similar
infection levels. C. sinensis
infection caused diminished Th1
cytokines (IL-1β, IL-2, IL-12p70, IFN-γ and TNF-α), Th2
cytokine (IL-4), as well as Th17
cytokine (IL-17A) in sera, which showed decreasing trend by
infection intensity. Notably, these phenotypes were more significant in females than those in males. Although C. sinensis
infection is associated with the development of
hepatobiliary diseases, there was no significant correlation between the dampened
cytokine profiles and the hepatobiliary morbidities. Our study indicates C. sinensis
infection is strongly related to the immune suppression in human. Sex differences shape the immune milieus of
clonorchiasis. This study provides a better understanding of how worms affect immune responses and cause a long-term immune alternation in humans with C. sinensis
infection.