Document Type
Journal Article
Publication Date
4-29-2014
Journal
Journal of Infectious Diseases
Keywords
Histamine--metabolism; Hookworm Infections--complications; Hookworm Infections--immunology; Immunoglobulin E--metabolism; Schistosomiasis mansoni--complications; Schistosomiasis mansoni--immunology
Abstract
Background. The poor correlation between allergen-specific-IgE (asIgE) and clinical signs of allergy in helminth infected populations suggests that helminth infections could protect against allergy by uncoupling asIgE from its effector mechanisms. We investigated this hypothesis in Ugandan schoolchildren coinfected with Schistosoma mansoni and hookworm.
Methods. Skin prick test (SPT) sensitivity to house dust mite allergen (HDM) and current wheeze were assessed pre-anthelmintic treatment. Non-specific (anti-IgE), helminth-specific and HDM-allergen-specific basophil histamine release (HR), plus helminth- and HDM-specific IgE and IgG4 responses were measured pre- and post-treatment.
Results. Non-specific- and helminth-specific-HR, and associations between helminth-specific-IgE and helminth-specific-HR increased post-treatment. Hookworm infection appeared to modify the relationship between circulating levels of HDM-IgE and HR: a significant positive association was observed among children without detectable hookworm infection but no association was observed among infected children. In addition, hookworm infection was associated with a significantly reduced risk of wheeze, and IgG4 to somatic adult hookworm antigen with a reduced risk of HDM-SPT sensitivity. There was no evidence for S. mansoniinfection having a similar suppressive effect on HDM-HR or symptoms of allergy.
Conclusions. Basophil responsiveness appears suppressed during chronic helminth infection; at least in hookworm infection, this suppression may protect against allergy.
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License.
APA Citation
Pinot de Moira, A., Fitzsimmons, C.M., Jones, F.M., Wilson, S., Cahen, P. et al. (2014). Suppression of basophil histamine-release and other IgE-dependent responses in childhood Schistosoma mansoni hookworm co-infection. Journal of Infectious Diseases.
Peer Reviewed
1
Open Access
1
Included in
Medical Immunology Commons, Medical Microbiology Commons, Parasitic Diseases Commons, Parasitology Commons
Comments
Reproduced with permission of Oxford Journals, Journal of Infectious Diseases.