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Immunological studies on onchocerciasis in Sierra Leone. 2. Cell-mediated immune responses after repeated treatment
A J Luty1, M D Downham, J A Whitworth
1MRC Laboratory, Bo, Sierra Leone, University of Cambridge, United Kingdom.
Cell mediated responses of peripheral blood lymphocytes were tested by incorporation of I-125 dideoxyuridine in a standard proliferation assay. The cells were collected from age and sex-matched patients selected on the basis of their clinical and parasitological status. These patients were treated with either ivermectin or placebo at 6-monthly intervals for two years. For the purpose of comparison, the patients were divided into three groups: children aged 5-9 years; 10-19 year olds; and, those older than 20 years. Repeated drug treatment over the two year period had no effect on either mitogenic or non-parasite antigen (PPD) responses in a majority of individuals. However, in younger children (5-9 years) repeated treatment with ivermectin resulted in some enhancement of Onchocerca-specific responses measured 6 months after administration of the drug. This effect was more pronounced in children presenting with positive skin-snips. An age related decline in mitogenic responses was observed.
Cell mediated responses of peripheral blood lymphocytes were tested by incorporation of I-125 dideoxyuridine in a standard proliferation assay. The cells were collected from age and sex-matched patients selected on the basis of their clinical and parasitological status. These patients were treated with either ivermectin or placebo at 6-monthly intervals for two years. For the purpose of comparison, the patients were divided into three groups: children aged 5-9 years; 10-19 year olds; and, those older than 20 years. Repeated drug treatment over the two year period had no effect on either mitogenic or non-parasite antigen (PPD) responses in a majority of individuals. However, in younger children (5-9 years) repeated treatment with ivermectin resulted in some enhancement of Onchocerca-specific responses measured 6 months after administration of the drug. This effect was more pronounced in children presenting with positive skin-snips. An age related decline in mitogenic responses was observed.