Treatment of human acute schistosomiasis with oxamniquine induces an increase in interferon-gamma response to Schistosoma mansoni antigens

Abstract

Patients with acute schistosomiasis were studied before and after oxamniquine treatment. They had been exposed to cercariae 5 to 9 weeks before, and presented compatible clinical manifestations, eosinophilia, and high levels of total IgE. Interferon-γ (IFN-γ)

Similar cellular responses after treatment with either praziquantel or oxamniquine in Schistosoma mansoni infection.

“…However, treatment with either praziquantel or oxamniquine revealed similar effects on the immune response. Both praziquantel and oxamniquine caused the modulation of immune responses, a similar cytokine pattern to that shown for oxamniquine of the raised IFN-γ in those who were infected, during all the examination times, post treatment [40][41][42] . In the same individuals before treatment, raised levels of IL-4 and IL-5 were also observed, which is consistent with the dominance of IL-4, IL-5 later in chronic infections and a controlling role of IL-10 as reported by other investigators in S.japonicum 40 .…”

“…IFN-γ is generally involved in delayed-type hypersensitivity reactions dominating in individuals having acute infections. During this period, the immune response is involved in antigen processing and mobilisation of cell-mediated immune system in which IFN-γ plays a key regulatory role 40,41 . The Th1-like cytokine phenotype observed in this study cannot be considered as inducing susceptibility to schistosome infection but may possibly indicate a regulatory role of Th1-like cytokines in the early responses to infection 40 .…”

“…IL-4 and IL-5 which mark the Th2-like response are known to stimulate B cells to selectively mature and proliferate for production of a particular antibody isotypes, which could ultimately be involved in ADCC reactions resulting in multicellular parasite killing and preventing any further invasion. The Th1 cytokine IFN-γ was found to exist during infection but the cytokine persisted at lower levels in treated individuals indicative of a dynamic balance which probably begins with increased levels of IFN-γ, a Th1 cytokine; and Th2-like responses dominating later in response to infection (15), with this shift in response phenotype being enhanced by both praziquantel and oxamniquine treatment 41 …”

Cytokine profile associated with chronic and acute human schistosomiasis mansoni

“…This suggests that IFN-γ levels increase in order to control the progression of hepatic fibrosis in chronic patients. In a recent study, we demonstrated increased IFN-γ production in response to SEA and SWAP stimulation after oxamniquine treatment in acute schistosomiasis patients (Souza et al 2007). In the present study, we analyzed IFN-γ production in acute patients before specific treatment.…”

Cytokine Pattern of T Lymphocytes in AcuteSchistosomiasis mansoniPatients following Treated Praziquantel Therapy

“…In this context, we observed a higher number of IFN- γ + and IL-4 + T CD8 + lymphocytes in response to SEA in the ACT-TR group (Figure 4). De Souza et al [72] demonstrated—six months after specific treatment with oxamniquine—that the IFN- γ levels increased significantly in response to SEA. Similarly, it was reported that patients with chronic disease living in endemic areas showed increased levels of IFN- γ after treatment in response to parasite antigens [73].…”