19 research outputs found
Expression of Recombinant Antigens in Escherichia coli: Application on Immunochemical Studies of Schistosoma mansoni Tegumental Antigens
Treatment of human acute schistosomiasis with oxamniquine induces an increase in interferon-gamma response to Schistosoma mansoni antigens
Preliminary results on interleukin-4 and interleukin-10 cytokine production in malnourished, inducible nitric oxide synthase-deficient mice with schistosomiasis mansoni infection
Schistosoma mansoni infected C57Bl/6 inducible nitric oxide synthase
(iNOS)-deficient and non-deficient malnourished mice, both fed a
balanced controlled diet were studied. Interleukins, IL-4 and IL-10
responses to soluble egg antigens (SEA) 90 days after infection, were
determined. Our results suggest that in iNOS deficient, malnourished
mice, 90 days after of infection, nitric oxide has a downregulating
effect on IL-4 and IL-10 production. We are currently investigating the
biological significance of these findings
Preliminar evaluation of cytokines in the hepatitis C-schistosomiasis co-infection
Evaluation of hepatic fibrosis is usually performed by
histopathological examination of biopsies. However, this is an invasive
and potentially dangerous procedure. Several studies have proposed
serum biological markers of hepatic fibrosis. This communication
evaluates the use of serum cytokines as markers of hepatic fibrosis in
hepatitis C, schistosomiasis, and co-infection
Studies on the production and regulation of interleukin, IL-13, IL-4 and interferon-g in human Schistosomiasis mansoni
The production and regulation of interleukin (IL) IL-13, IL-4 and interferon-gamma was evaluated in different clinical forms of human schistosomiasis. The mechanisms of immune regulation are apparently different in the various clinical stages of the disease, some of them being antigen specific
Treatment of human acute schistosomiasis with oxamniquine induces an increase in interferon-γ response to Schistosoma mansoni antigens
Patients with acute schistosomiasis were studied before and after
oxamniquine treatment. They had been exposed to cercariae 5 to 9 weeks
before, and presented compatible clinical manifestations, eosinophilia,
and high levels of total IgE. Interferon-g (IFN-γ) and
interleukin-4 were measured by ELISA in whole blood samples under
soluble egg antigen or soluble adult worm preparation stimulation.
After treatment, the reduction of leukocytosis and eosinophilia were
not significant, but total IgE levels decreased significantly, in
contrast to IFN-γ levels that were significantly increased. The
oxamniquine treatment of acute schistosomiasis patients is followed by
an improvement of a Th1 response in vitro. If this response has a
protective aspect is unknown, and some investigations need to be
realized
Factors Involved in Schistosoma mansoni Infection, in Rural Areas of Northeast Brazil
Two contiguous villages in Tracunhaém county (State of Pernambuco), endemic for schistosomiasis, were studied: Itapinassu (138 inhabitants) and São Joaquim (91 inhabitants). Agriculture predominates in the former region while ceramics is the main activity in the latter. Although no statistical difference was found regarding prevalence, severe infection (>400 epg) predominated in Itapinassu, probably related to the kind of occupation. No association was found between parasite burden and severity of disease, in spite of the high infection rates for Schistosoma mansoni in both communities (approx. 60%). Typical epidemiological features of schistosomiasis such as age-related prevalences and intensities of infection (high in children, low in adults) were also mutual characteristics. Nutritional status determined through anthropometric evaluation was carried out by measuring specific anthropometric indicators. A deficit of energy intake, as well as vitamin A and riboflavin deficiencies were detected. The prevalence of moderate or severe undernutrition in patients under 18 years old was 21.9% in Itapinassu and 24.1% in São Joaquim. In this group an association was found between prevalence of schistosomiasis and chronic undernutrition. Similarly, for patients over 18 year old the prevalence of undernutrition was higher than 20%. However, in this case no association between nutritional status and either prevalence of schistosomiasis or parasite burden could be detected. The two communities had not been treated for eight years