Expression of SmATPDases 1 and 2 in Schistosoma mansoni eggs favours IL-10 production in infected individuals.

A role of IL-10 is down-regulating T-cell responses to schistosome antigens. Since SmATPDases can be correlated to modulation of the immune response, we evaluated the expression of enzymes in S. mansoni eggs.

Algorithm Design for a Cytokine Release Assay of Antigen-Specific In Vitro Stimuli of Circulating Leukocytes to Classify Leprosy Patients and Household Contacts.

Background: Immunological biomarkers have often been used as a complementary approach to support clinical diagnosis in several infectious diseases. The lack of commercially available laboratory tests for conclusive early diagnosis of leprosy has motivated the search for novel methods for accurate diagnosis. In the present study, we describe an integrated analysis of a cytokine release assay using a machine learning approach to create a decision tree algorithm.

Functional biomarker signatures of circulating T-cells and its association with distinct clinical status of leprosy patients and their respective household contacts.

Background: Leprosy is a chronic infectious disease classified into two subgroups for therapeutic purposes: paucibacillary (PB) and multibacillary (MB), closely related to the host immune responses. In this context it is noteworthy looking for immunological biomarkers applicable as complementary diagnostic tools as well as a laboratorial strategy to follow-up leprosy household contacts.

Methods: The cross-sectional study enrolled 49 participants, including 19 patients and 30 healthy controls.

High frequency of M. leprae DNA detection in asymptomatic household contacts.

Background: Characterization of the Mycobacterium leprae genome has made possible the development of Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) systems that can amplify different genomic regions. Increased reliability and technical efficiency of quantitative PCR (qPCR) makes it a promising tool for early diagnosis of leprosy. Index cases that are multibacillary spread the bacillus silently, even before they are clinically diagnosed.

Cytokine Pattern of T Lymphocytes in Acute Schistosomiasis mansoni Patients following Treated Praziquantel Therapy.

Acute schistosomiasis is associated with a primary exposure and is more commonly seen in nonimmune individuals traveling through endemic regions. In this study, we have focused on the cytokine profile of T lymphocytes evaluated in circulating leukocytes of acute Schistosomiasis mansoni-infected patients (ACT group) before and after praziquantel treatment (ACT-TR group). Our data demonstrated increased values of total leukocytes, eosinophils, and monocytes in both groups.

Seric chemokines and chemokine receptors in eosinophils during acute human schistosomiasis mansoni.

The recruitment of circulating eosinophils by chemokines and chemokine receptors plays an important role in the inflammation process in acute human schistosomiasis. Our main focus has been on the plasma chemokines (CXCL8/CCL2/CCL3/CCL24) and chemokine receptors (CCR2/CCR3/CCR5/CXCR1/CXCR2/CXCR3/CXCR4) expressed by circulating eosinophils from acute Schistosoma mansoni infected patients (ACT). Our studies compared ACT patients and healthy individuals as a control group.

Induction of type 2 responses by schistosome worms during prepatent infection.

During natural schistosome infection, the induction of T helper type 2 (Th2) responses has been ascribed to parasite eggs, because exposure of the host to this life-cycle stage elicits a polarized Th2 response to egg antigens. In the present study, we show that schistosome worms also elicit systemic, antigen-specific type 2 responses during prepatent infection, before egg deposition begins. CD4(+) T cells producing interleukin (IL)-4 were induced by both male and female worms during single-sex infections, demonstrating that this response is independent of exposure to eggs.

Comparative clinical and ultrasound study of egg-negative and egg-positive individuals from Schistosoma mansoni low morbidity endemic areas, and hospitalized patients with hepatosplenic disease.

Two hundred and twenty three subjects from a Schistosoma mansoni low morbidity endemic area and nine hospitalized hepatosplenic patients were submitted to stool test and clinical examination and abdomen ultrasound assessments. According to stool examination and ultrasound results, they were grouped as follows: G1 -- 63 Schistosoma mansoni egg-negative individuals; G2 -- 141 egg-positive patients and without evidence of periportal fibrosis; G3 -- 19 egg-positive patients with periportal echogenicity (3-6 mm); and G4 -- 9 hepatosplenic patients with periportal echogenicity (> 6 mm). Hepatomegaly detected by physical examination of the abdomen evaluated in the midclavicular line was verified in G1, G2 and G3, respectively, in 11.

Antiproliferative activity of Actinobacillus (Haemophilus) actinomycetemcomitans and Fusobacterium nucleatum in peripheral blood mononuclear cells.

Several studies indicate Actinobacillus (Haemophilus) actinomycetemcomitans and Fusobacterium nucleatum as etiologic agents of periodontal disease. Immunosuppressive factors produced by microorganisms probably contribute to the initiation and evolution of this disease. This study evaluated the antiproliferative activity of ammonium precipitate fractions of A.