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Chemotherapy-induced, age-related changes in antischistosome antibody responses
Francisca Mutapi1, Paul Hagan, Mark E J Woolhouse
1Comparative Epidemiology and Informatics, Department of Veterinary Clinical Studies, University of Glasgow Veterinary School, Bearsden Road, UK. f.mutapi@ed.ac.uk
Parasite Immunology
|June 7, 2003
Summary
Schistosoma mansoni treatment with praziquantel or oxamniquine boosts specific antibody levels in children. These changes, particularly for immunoglobulin E (IgE) and immunoglobulin G3 (IgG3), are linked to cumulative parasite exposure, not just age.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Parasitology
- Tropical Medicine
Background:
- Schistosomiasis mansoni is a significant parasitic disease affecting millions globally.
- Humoral immune responses play a crucial role in the host's defense against Schistosoma mansoni.
- Understanding how chemotherapy impacts these immune responses is vital for disease management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of praziquantel (PZQ) and oxamniquine (OXAM) treatment on humoral immune responses in Zimbabwean children infected with Schistosoma mansoni.
- To analyze changes in immunoglobulin (antibody) levels and their relationship with age and pre-treatment infection intensity post-chemotherapy.
Main Methods:
- Longitudinal study design involving Zimbabwean children before and at 6 and 18 weeks after treatment.
- Measurement of specific antibody levels (IgA, IgE, IgG1, IgG3, IgG4, IgM) against Schistosoma mansoni soluble egg antigen.
- Statistical analysis to compare immune responses between treated and untreated groups, and to assess associations with age and infection levels.
Main Results:
- PZQ and OXAM treatments significantly increased the proportion and levels of IgE and IgG3 antibodies post-treatment.
- Antibody profiles shifted, with increases in IgA, IgE, IgG3 and decreases in IgG1, IgG4, and IgM at 18 weeks.
- Treatment-induced changes in IgE, IgM, and IgG3 were more pronounced in younger children and correlated with pre-treatment infection intensity.
Conclusions:
- Chemotherapy for Schistosoma mansoni induces significant, lasting changes in the humoral immune response.
- The observed age-antibody relationship is influenced by cumulative exposure to parasite antigens, which is altered by antiparasitic treatment.
- These findings highlight the dynamic interplay between host immunity, parasite burden, and chemotherapy in schistosomiasis.