Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 2, 2026
In vivo Imaging of Transgenic Leishmania Parasites in a Live Host
Published on: July 28, 2010
CD16+ monocytes in human cutaneous leishmaniasis: increased ex vivo levels and correlation with clinical data
George Soares1, Aldina Barral, Jackson M Costa
1LIMI, LIP, Gonçalo Moniz Research Center, Oswaldo Cruz Fundation, Salvador-Bahia, Brazil.
Insights
Peripheral blood monocytes expressing CD16 (Fc receptor for immunoglobulin G III) are elevated in leishmaniasis patients. Higher CD16 levels correlate with disease severity and may indicate a worse prognosis.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Infectious Diseases
- Dermatology
Background:
- CD16 (Fc receptor for immunoglobulin G III)-positive monocytes are implicated in various pathologies.
- Limited data exist regarding CD16+ monocyte roles in leishmaniasis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the presence and significance of CD16+ monocytes in cutaneous leishmaniasis.
- To explore the correlation between CD16+ monocytes and disease parameters.
Main Methods:
- Flow cytometry analysis of peripheral blood monocytes from 15 cutaneous leishmaniasis patients and healthy controls.
- Quantification of CD16 expression (percentage and mean fluorescent intensity).
- Correlation analysis with lesion size and plasma levels of transforming growth factor-beta.
Main Results:
- Cutaneous leishmaniasis patients showed significantly increased percentages and expression levels of CD16+ monocytes compared to controls.
- A positive correlation was found between CD16+ monocyte percentage and lesion size (r=0.75) and active transforming growth factor-beta levels (r=0.78).
- Patients with nonhealing lesions exhibited high CD16 levels at diagnosis.
Conclusions:
- CD16+ monocytes may play a detrimental role in human leishmaniasis.
- Elevated CD16 expression on monocytes could serve as a biomarker for disease severity and adverse outcomes in leishmaniasis.
Abstract:
Peripheral blood CD16 (Fc receptor for immunoglobulin G III)-positive monocytes have been shown to expand in different pathological conditions, such as cancer, asthma, sepsis, human immunodeficiency virus infection, and AIDS progression, but data in leishmaniasis are lacking. We found that cutaneous leishmaniasis patients (n = 15) displayed a significant increase in the percentage (3.5 vs. 10.1) as well as mean fluorescent intensity (13.5 vs. 29.2) of ex vivo CD16 expression in monocytes as compared with healthy controls. We observed a significant positive correlation between the percentage of ex vivo CD16+ monocytes and lesion size (P = 0.0052, r = 0.75) or active transforming growth factor-beta plasma levels (P = 0.0017, r = 0.78). In addition, two patients with nonhealing lesions during a 3-year follow-up had high (9.1-19.4%) CD16 levels at diagnosis. Our data suggest a deleterious role for CD16 in human leishmaniasis, as well as its possible use as a marker for disease severity and/or adverse disease outcome.
More Related Videos
11:36Cutaneous Leishmaniasis in the Dorsal Skin of Hamsters: a Useful Model for the Screening of Antileishmanial Drugs
Published on: April 21, 2012
10:01Quantification of Intracellular Growth Inside Macrophages is a Fast and Reliable Method for Assessing the Virulence of Leishmania Parasites
Published on: March 16, 2018
