Tuberculosis (TB) is the leading cause of death due to an infectious agent, but only a small fraction of those infected develop the disease. Cytokines are involved in the mediation and regulation of immunity, and their secretion patterns may reflect the infection status. To increase our understanding of immune response to M . tuberculosis infection, we conducted a cross-sectional study investigating M . tuberculosis infection status and comparing the release profiles of cytokines GM-CSF, IFN-γ, IL-1β, IL-10, IL-12 (p70), IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-8, TNF-α, in community controls (CCs) and healthy healthcare workers (HCWs) highly exposed to TB. Among HCWs and CCs, the probability of latent M . tuberculosis (LTB + ) infection was respectively 5.4 (p = 0.002) and 3.4 (p = 0.006) times higher in men than women. The odds ratio of LTB infection was 4 times higher among HCWs in direct contact with active TB patients than other HCW (p = 0.01). Whole blood supernatant cytokine responses to M . tuberculosis antigens showed differential pro-inflammatory responses between HCWs and CCs. CCs LTB− had higher IL-1β responses than HCWs LTB− (p = 0.002). HCWs LTB+ had significantly higher IL-8 responses to M . tuberculosis antigens than HCWs LTB− (p = 0.003) and CCs LTB− (p = 0.015). HCWs LTB+/− showed weak but positive TNF-α responses to M . tuberculosis antigen stimulation compared to CCs LTB+/− (p ≤ 0.015). Looking at T-helper (1 and 2) responses, HCWs LTB+ and CCs LTB+ had significantly higher IFN-γ and IL-2 responses compared to HCWs LTB− and CCs LTB− (p < [0.0001–0.003]). Also, TB antigen induced IL-5 secretion was significantly higher in HCWs LTB+ and CCs LTB+ than in non-infected CCs LTB− (p < [0.005–0.04]). M . tuberculosis antigen specific responses in HCWs LTB+ varied based on active TB exposure gradient. HCWs LTB+ who were highly exposed to active TB (≥3 hours per day) had significantly higher IFN-γ and IL-8 responses (p ≤ 0.02) than HCWs LTB+ not in direct contact with active TB patients. HCWs LTB+ working with active TB patients for 5 to 31 years had a significantly enhanced secretion of proinflammatory cytokines (GM-CSF, IFN-γ, IL-1β, IL-2, IL-6, IL-8, IL-12p70, TNF-α) compared to HCWs LTB− (p < [0.0001–0.01]). Secretion of anti-inflammatory/T...

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Tuberculosis (TB) is an intracellular infection controlled the effective recruitment of effectors immune cells at infection site. In aged premenopausal or menopausal women, there is an increased pro-inflammatory cytokines secretion suggesting an underlying link between cytokines response and estrogen (E2) and progesterone (P4) levels. In this study we compared women aged 40 years old and above (premenopausal) and women aged below 40 years old with and without latent TB infection to determine the link between E2, P4 and cytokines response to Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tuberculosis) stimuli. E2 and P4 levels were significantly higher in women under 40 years old than in women above 40 years old irrespective their LTB status (p < [0.0001–0.05]). In women under 40 years old, E2 and P4 were found to correlate negatively and significantly with IL-8 response to M. tuberculosis antigens stimulation ((p < [0.001–0.01]). Furthermore, M. tuberculosis IL-8 specific response was significantly higher in women above 40 years old than women under 40 years old. This study demonstrates that women aging and the linked hormonal changes are associated with hence IL-8 response to M. tuberculosis antigen, which may have implications for the age-related susceptibility or resistance to active tuberculosis.

Aim: Diabetes is a metabolic disease most often associated with complications when uncontrolled. The present study aimed to investigate the relationship between diabetes-associated complications, glycemic imbalances and other metabolic deregulation in Gabonese diabetics.Methods: 115 known diabetics were recruited from the Libreville University hospital. We collected anthropometric data and information on associated pathologies. Blood samples collected were analyzed for blood glucose, urea, creatinine, triglycerides, cholesterol fractions and transaminases.Results: Type-2 diabetes was more prevalent in the studied population, representing 90% of cased cases. 41.7% had diabetes cases were associated with hypertension alone. 9.6% of diabetes cases had kidney failure (associated or not with hypertension and/or neuropathy). 87% patients had uncontrolled blood sugar. Creatinine and urea were significantly higher in patients with affections as compared to patients without affections (p<0.0001). In diabetics with controlled blood glucose concentration, only patients with the nephropathy had significantly high levels of creatinine and urea (p<0.05). In diabetics with uncontrolled blood glucose concentration, significantly high levels of creatinine and urea were seen in both patients with hypertension and patient with nephropathy (p<0.001). Conclusion:The high rate of hypertension and hyperglycemia observed suggest that Gabonese diabetics are at high risk for developing nephropathies.