In areas endemic to schistosomiasis, fetal exposure to schistosome antigens prime the offspring before potential natural infection. Praziquantel (PZQ) treatment for Schistosoma japonicum infection in pregnant women has been demonstrated to be safe and effective. Our objectives were to evaluate whether maternal PZQ treatment modifies the process of in utero sensitization to schistosome antigens potentially impacting later risk of infection, as well as immune response to S. japonicum. We enrolled 295 children at age six, born to mothers with S. japonicum infection who participated in a randomized control trial of PZQ versus placebo given at 12-16 weeks gestation in Leyte, The Philippines. At enrollment, we assessed and treated current S. japonicum infection and measured serum cytokines. During a follow-up visit four weeks later, we assessed peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) cytokine production in response to soluble worm antigen preparation (SWAP) or soluble egg antigen (SEA). Associations between maternal treatment group and the child's S. japonicum infection status and immunologic responses were determined using multivariate linear regression analysis. PZQ treatment during pregnancy did not impact the prevalence (P = 0.12) or intensity (P = 0.59) of natural S. japonicum infection among children at age six. Among children with infection at enrollment (12.5%) there were no significant serum cytokine concentration differences between maternal treatment groups. Among children with infection at enrollment, IL-1 production by PBMCs stimulated with SEA was higher (P = 0.03) in the maternal PZQ group compared to placebo. Among children without infection, PBMCs stimulated with SEA produced greater IL-12 (P = 0.03) and with SWAP produced less IL-4 (P = 0.01) in the maternal PZQ group compared to placebo. Several cytokines produced by PBMCs in response to SWAP and SEA were significantly higher in children with S. japonicum infection irrespective of maternal treatment: IL-4, IL-5, IL-10, and IL-13. We report that maternal PZQ treatment for S. japonicum shifted the PBMC immune response to a more inflammatory signature but had no impact on their offspring's likelihood of infection or serum cytokines at age six, further supporting the safe use of PZQ in pregnant women. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00486863.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0009328 | DOI Listing |
Lancet Glob Health
January 2025
Big Data Institute, Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK. Electronic address:
Background: Periportal fibrosis is a severe morbidity caused by both current and past exposure to intestinal schistosomes. We aimed to assess the association between current infection status and intensity of Schistosoma mansoni, Schistosoma japonicum, or Schistosoma mekongi with periportal fibrosis.
Methods: In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Embase, Global Health, Global Index Medicus, and MEDLINE from database inception to June 18, 2024.
PLoS Pathog
December 2024
School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui Province, P.R. China.
Schistosomiasis is characterized by egg-induced hepatic granulomas and subsequent fibrosis. Monocyte-derived macrophages play critical and plastic roles in the progression and regression of liver fibrosis, adopting different polarization phenotypes. Mammalian STE20-like protein kinase 1 (MST1), a serine/threonine kinase, has been established to act as a negative regulator of macrophage-associated inflammation.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFMicrobiol Spectr
December 2024
Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology, School of Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China.
Schistosomiasis is commonly managed using the praziquantel, but it is only effective against adult worms and duration of action is short. Liver fibrosis will worsen if eggs are still present after stopping treatment. Therefore, this study aimed to develop a sustained drug release system for effectively preventing and treating schistosomiasis.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFFront Immunol
December 2024
Department of Critical Care Medicine, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.
Introduction: Cerebral schistosomiasis is a rare but severe manifestation of infection, often leading to significant neurological impairment. This case report details the clinical presentation, diagnostic challenges, and treatment of a 3-year-old girl with cerebral schistosomiasis in Sichuan, China.
Case Description: A 3-year-old girl from a rural area in Sichuan, China, presented with a 3-month history of unstable walking, left facial paralysis, drowsiness, and intermittent fever.
PLoS Negl Trop Dis
December 2024
Molecular Parasitology Laboratory, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
Background: Zoonotic schistosomiasis, caused by Schistosoma japonicum, is prevalent in China, the Philippines and Indonesia. Rapid point-of-care (POC) diagnostics are attractive and promising tools for evaluating the efficacy of intervention strategies for schistosomiasis control.
Methodology: The diagnostic potential of five recombinant antigens was tested by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using sera from individuals with positive Kato-Katz (KK) results for S.
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