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Cellular immune competence in bancroftian filariasis
The Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
|December 1, 1985
Summary
Immune responses to filarial antigens vary by infection status. Endemic normals respond to microfilarial antigens, while treated patients react to homologous antigens, and elephantiasis patients respond to both microfilarial and adult worm antigens.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Parasitology
- Tropical Medicine
Background:
- Bancroftian filariasis is a significant public health concern in endemic areas.
- Understanding immune responses is crucial for managing filarial infections.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze lymphocyte proliferative responses in individuals with varying bancroftian filariasis infection statuses.
- To investigate immune reactions to filarial antigens, mitogens, and purified protein derivatives (PPD).
Main Methods:
- Studied 37 subjects from a filariasis-endemic region.
- Assessed lymphocyte proliferation in response to homologous/heterologous microfilarial antigens, mitogens, and PPD.
- Categorized subjects into endemic normals, patent microfilaraemic, DEC-treated microfilaraemic, and elephantiasis groups.
Main Results:
- Endemic normals primarily reacted to homologous microfilarial antigens.
- Non-treated microfilaraemic patients showed no response to microfilarial antigens.
- DEC-treated patients responded to homologous antigens; elephantiasis patients reacted to microfilarial and adult worm antigens.
- PPD response was depressed in microfilaraemic patients but elevated in elephantiasis cases.
- Mitogen responses were generally depressed across infected groups.
Conclusions:
- Lymphocyte proliferative responses differ significantly based on filarial infection and treatment status.
- Immune profiling can help understand disease progression and treatment efficacy in bancroftian filariasis.
- Further research into specific antigen recognition is warranted.