11 research outputs found
Adult Opisthorchis viverrini Flukes in Humans, Takeo, Cambodia
(1). Sophisticated laboratory
methods, although sensitive, are
costly. The immunochromatographic
strip test that uses recombinant K39
antigen (rK39), although satisfactory
in India, is less sensitive in Africa,
Latin America, and Mediterranean
regions (2). Post–kala-azar dermal
leishmaniasis (PKDL), a sequel
to VL in India and Africa, is often
confused with other skin diseases
(3,4). Diagnosis of VL in dogs in
Latin America and Mediterranean
countries remains confusing because
of rampant asymptomatic infections
and elevated antibodies against
Leishmania spp. (5)
Identification and glycobiological characterization of circulating immune complexes in patients with visceral leishmaniasis and post kala azar dermal leishmaniasis
321-328Here, we investigated the quantitative and qualitative differences
in antibody classes and subclasses in serum immune complexes (ICs) of Visceral
Leishmaniasis (VL), Post Kala-azar Dermal Leishmaniasis (PKDL) and different
cross reactive diseases like Malaria, Leprosy, Vitiligo as compared to control
subjects. IC levels were measured through a newly developed PEG ELISA, using L. donovani promastigote membrane antigen coated plate.
Antibody classes and subclasses were identified using polyspecific sera and
monoclonal antibodies, respectively. ICs were purified using polyethylene
glycol (PEG) precipitation. Conditional logistic regression showed an
association between IgG1-containing ICs and increased risk of PKDL (OR=75, P <0.05) and an association of
IgG-containing ICs with VL (OR=621, P=0.001).
PEG ELISA demonstrated almost 13-15 fold higher IgG containing ICs titers in VL
as compared to control (P <0.001).
The assay further established a significant (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style:
normal">P <0.05) difference in the IgG containing ICs titers between VL
and PKDL. The isolated ICs were further analyzed by subjecting them to
one-dimensional PAGE and subsequently stained with combination of periodic
acid schiff (PAS) with silver. A differential
banding pattern between VL and PKDL was obtained. Four distinct bands with
carbohydrate rich glycoconjugates were identified in PKDL ICs, which were
absent in VL and control group. It suggests the scope for developing a novel
differential diagnostic assay.
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Status of circulating immune complexes, IL8 titers and cryoglobulins in patients with dengue infection
719-725Dengue, a serious viral infection caused by the
mosquito vector, Aedes aegyptii, affects
about 390 million people annually from more than 125 countries across the
globe. However, until now, there is no reliable clinical or laboratory
indicator to accurately predict the development of dengue
severity. Here, we explored critical pathophysiological determinants like IL8,
circulating immune complex (CIC) and cryoglobulin in dengue-infected patients for identification of novel dengue severity biomarker(s).
Totally, 100 clinically suspected dengue cases were tested by NS1 ELISA
and MAC ELISA for dengue virus aetiology. For control, 49 healthy volunteers
were included. Blood profiling (complete hemogram and liver function test) of
patient population were done using automated cell counter and standard auto
analyzer based biochemical analysis. Serum CIC was quantified by PEG precipitation. Serum cryoglobulins were
estimated by Folin assay. Levels of serum IL-8 were assessed by standard
sandwich ELISA kits. Patient CIC were
further characterized by SDS Gel electrophoresis. Forty per cent of the
cases tested positive, of which 11 patients had severe clinical manifestation.
The mean ±SEM of cryoglobulin concentration for DHF, DF, and HC were 1.30±0.31, 0.59±0.08
and 0.143±0.009 μg/μl, respectively. Thus, DHF and DF patients have shown 9- and
2.2-fold increase in cryoglobulin levels; and 18- and 5-fold increased CIC,
respectively compared to HC patients. The mean ±SEM of CIC-PEG index for DHF,
DF and HC were 491±41.22, 146±14.19 and 27.98±2.56, respectively. Raised levels
of IL8 titers were also found in all 11 DHF patients. Peak levels of CIC,
cryoglobulin and IL8 titers were associated with thrombocytopenia. SDS PAGE analysis of CIC from DHF revealed the presence of at least six protein
bands that were not observed in samples from DF
and HC. Prediction efficacy of IL8, CIC and cryoglobulin for DHF was determined
using the receiver operator characteristic curve (ROC). The area under
the curve was 1.00 for IL8, 0.99 for CIC and 0.74 for cryoglobulins. Overall,
the results suggest that CIC, IL-8 and cryoglobulins may serve as important
laboratory parameters to monitor dengue infection progression.
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Systemic redox imbalance along with increased serum sialic acid is prevalent in patients with active vitiligo: A study from a tertiary care teaching hospital of eastern India
Background: Vitiligo is one of the common depigmenting disorders causing disfigurement and affecting the quality of life. Redox imbalance is known to play a contributory role in melanocyte destruction. Serum sialic acid (SA) is an important marker of the acute-phase response and is associated with oxidative protein damage. Aim: The aim of this study was to analyze the status of oxidative stress markers and serum SA in vitiligo patients and to correlate the same with disease activity. Materials and Methods: The different oxidative stress parameters namely superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA), and serum SA were measured spectrophotometrically using standard biochemical methodologies in all the study subjects. Results: Serum SOD and MDA values were higher in patients with active vitiligo (n = 23) as compared to stable vitiligo (n = 20) and healthy controls (n = 20). The MDA/SOD ratio was higher in patients with active vitiligo (P<0.0001). Serum SA was increased in active vitiligo as compared to stable vitiligo and healthy controls (P<0.0001). Conclusion: This study indicates that patients with active vitiligo demonstrate enhanced MDA/SOD ratio and increased serum SA. The studied parameters can serve as an important tool to monitor disease activity in vitiligo
IL-10- and TGF-�-Mediated Susceptibility in Kala-azar and Post-kala-azar Dermal Leishmaniasis: The Significance of Amphotericin B in the Control of Leishmania donovani Infection in India1
Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) or kala-azar is known to be associated with a mixed Th1-Th2 response, and effective host defense
requires the induction of IFN-� and IL-12. We address the role of the differential decline of IL-10 and TGF-� in response to
sodium antimony gluconate (SAG) and amphotericin B (AmB), the therapeutic success of SAG and AmB in Indian VL, and the
significance of IL-10 and TGF-� in the development and progression of post-kazla-azar dermal leishmaniasis (PKDL). In the
active disease, PBMC from VL patients showed suppressed Ag-specific lymphoproliferation, IFN-� and IL-12 production, and
elevation of IL-10 and TGF-�. Cure corresponded with an elevation in IFN-� and IL-12 production and down-regulation of IL-10
and TGF-�. Both CD4� and CD8� T cells were involved in IFN-� and IL-10 production. Interestingly, the retention and maintenance
of residual IL-10 and TGF-� in some SAG-treated individuals and the elevation of IL-10 and TGF-� in PKDL, a sequel
to kala-azar, probably reflects the role of these cytokines in reactivation of the disease in the form of PKDL. Contrastingly, AmB
treatment of VL resulted in negligible TGF-� levels and absolute elimination of IL-10, reflecting the better therapeutic activity of
AmB and its probable role in the recent decline in PKDL occurrences in India. Moreover, elucidation of immune responses in
Indian PKDL patients revealed a spectral pattern of disease progression where disease severity could be correlated inversely with
lymphoproliferation and directly with TGF-�, IL-10, and Ab production. In addition, the enhancement of CD4�CD25� T cells in
active VL, their decline at cure, and reactivation in PKDL suggest their probable immunosuppressive role in these disease
forms. The Journal of Immunology, 2007, 179: 5592–5603
Increased levels of interleukin‐10 and IgG3 are hallmarks of Indian Post–kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis
Background. Post-kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis (PKDL), an established sequela of visceral leishmaniasis (VL), is proposed to facilitate anthroponotic transmission of VL, especially during interepidemic periods. Immunopathological mechanisms responsible for Indian PKDL are still poorly defined. Methods. Our study attempted to characterize the immune profiles of patients with PKDL or VL relative to that of healthy control subjects by immunophenotyping, intracellular cytokine staining of peripheral blood mononuclear cells, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for serum cytokines and immunoglobulin G (IgG) subclasses. Results. Patients with PKDL had significantly raised percentages of peripheral CD3+CD8+ cells compared with control subjects, a difference that persisted after cure. Patients with PKDL showed an intact response to phytohemagglutinin, with the percentages of lymphocytes expressing interferon (IFN)-γ, interleukin (IL)-2, IL-4, and IL-10 being comparable to those in control subjects. Patients with VL had decreased IFN-γ and IL-2 expression, which was restored after cure, and increased IL-10 expression, which persisted after cure. In their response to Leishmania donovani antigen, patients with PKDL showed a 9.6-fold increase in the percentage of IL-10-expressing CD3+CD8+ lymphocytes compared with control subjects, and this percentage decreased with treatment. Patients with PKDL had raised levels of IgG3 and IgG1 (surrogate markers for IL-10), concomitant with increased serum levels of IL-10. Conclusions. IL-10-producing CD3+CD8+ lymphocytes are important protagonists in the immunopathogenesis of Indian PKDL
A defective oxidative burst and impaired antigen presentation are hallmarks of human visceral leishmaniasis
Purpose: Survival of the Leishmania parasite within monocytes hinges on its ability to effectively nullify their microbicidal effector mechanisms. Accordingly, this study aimed to delineate this biological niche in patients with visceral leishmaniasis (VL). Methods: In monocytes, the redox status, antigen presenting capacity, expression of Toll-like receptors (TLRs), co-stimulatory molecules (CD80/86) and generation of intracellular cytokines (IL-8, IL-1β, IL-10 and LAP-TGF-β1) was measured by flow cytometry, levels of circulating cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, IL-8, IL-4, IL-13, IL-10 and GM-CSF) by ELISA and arginase activity by spectrophotometry. Results: Within monocytes, generation of an oxidative burst was markedly attenuated as evident by decreased generation of nitric oxide and reactive oxygen species, concomitant with raised levels of thiols. This was accompanied by lowered frequency of TLR<sub>4</sub><sup>+</sup> monocytes, but the arginase activity remained unaltered. Pathogen persistence was enhanced by the predominance of anti-inflammatory cytokines within monocytes, notably IL-10. Alongside, development of adaptive immunity was severely attenuated as manifested by a pronounced impairment of antigen presentation and co-stimulation evident by down regulation of CD<sub>54</sub>, HLA-DR and CD86. Treatment corrected the redox imbalance and reversed the impaired antigen presentation. Conclusions: In VL, monocyte functions were severely impaired facilitating parasite persistence; anti-leishmanial chemotherapy mediated parasite elimination through modulation of the macrophage microenvironment by restoring its redox status and antigen presenting capacity
Enhanced lesional foxp3 expression and peripheral anergic lymphocytes indicate a role for regulatory T cells in Indian post-kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis
Indian post-kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis (PKDL) is a low-frequency (5–10%) dermal sequela of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) caused by Leishmania donovani; importantly, affected individuals are speculated to be parasite reservoirs. Insight into its immunopathogenesis could translate into rational immunomodulatory therapeutic approaches against leishmaniases. In patients with PKDL (n=21), peripheral lymphocytes were analyzed for surface markers, intracellular cytokines, and lymphoproliferative responses using flow cytometry. In lesional tissue biopsies (n=12), expression of counter-regulatory cytokines (IFN-γ and IL-10) and the T-regulatory transcription factor forkhead box protein 3 (Foxp3) was analyzed using reverse transcriptase-PCR, along with immunohistochemical detection (n=8) of CD3 and Foxp3 positivity. In patients with PKDL, circulating CD8+CD28- and antigen-induced IL-10+CD3+ lymphocytes were increased and receded with treatment. CD8+ lymphocytes showed impaired proliferative responses to L. donovani antigen (LDA) and phytohemagglutinin, which were reinstated after treatment. At presentation, the upregulated lesional IFN-γ and IL-10 messenger RNA (mRNA), Foxp3 mRNA, and protein were curtailed after treatment. In Indian patients with PKDL, increased frequency of the CD8+CD28- phenotype, enhanced antigen-specific IL-10 production, and accompanying anergy of circulating lymphocytes suggest their regulatory nature. Furthermore, the concomitantly elevated lesional expression of Foxp3 suggests their possible recruitment into the lesional site, which would sustain disease pathology