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Plasma Proteomics Reveals Distinct Signatures in Occult and Microfilaremic Loa loa Infections
Clemens Dierks1,2, Pinkus Tober-Lau2, Luzia Veletzky3,4
1Institute of Biochemistry, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
The Journal of Infectious Diseases
|July 17, 2025
Summary
Plasma proteomics reveals distinct host responses to Loa loa infection, aiding in the molecular classification of loiasis. This study identifies key proteins and uses machine learning to differentiate infection states.
Area of Science:
- Parasitology
- Proteomics
- Immunology
Background:
- Loiasis, caused by Loa loa, is a significant health issue in West and Central Africa.
- Diagnosis is challenging due to variable microfilaria counts and unreliable serology.
- The plasma proteome offers insights into host responses to infection.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate host plasma proteomic responses in Loa loa infection.
- To identify protein biomarkers for different Loa loa disease states.
- To enable molecular classification of loiasis.
Main Methods:
- High-throughput plasma proteomics on 274 infected patients and 136 controls.
- Validation of differentially abundant proteins using targeted proteomics.
- Machine learning models (random forest) for classification.
Main Results:
- Five proteins (IGHG3, IGHG4, ACTBL2, LCP1, IGLV9-49) were elevated in infected individuals.
- Proteins IGHG3, IGHG4, ACTB, and LCP1 showed increased levels correlating with infection severity.
- Proteomic signatures accurately classified occult loiasis (AUROC=0.73) and microfilaremia (AUROC=0.84).
Conclusions:
- Loa loa infection significantly alters the host plasma proteome.
- Distinct host responses are observed across different infection states.
- Proteomic signatures facilitate molecular classification of this neglected parasitic disease.
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