Elevation of C-reactive protein, P-selectin and Resistin as potential inflammatory biomarkers of urogenital Schistosomiasis exposure in preschool children

Abstract

BackgroundSchistosomiasis is known to induce inflammatory immune responses. C-reactive protein (CRP), resistin and P-selectin are serological inflammatory markers that rise during the acute stages of infection. Here, we propose such inflammatory biomarkers have a potential for use in urogenital schistosomiasis diagnostic screening for exposure and infection in preschool-aged children.MethodsAs part of a larger study on urogenital schistosomiasis, 299 preschool children aged 1–5 years were included in this cross-sectional study. Parasitological diagnosis was conducted using urine filtration for Schistosoma haemtobium infection, and Kato Katz for S. mansoni infection. Serum levels of P-selectin, resistin, CRP, and antibodies against S. haematobium cercarial antigen preparation (CAP) and soluble worm antigen preparation (SWAP) were measured by ELISA.ResultsOf the 299 participants, 14% were egg positive for S. haematobium. Serology showed 46 and 9% of the participants to have been exposed to S. haematobium cercarial antigens and adult worm antigens, respectively. Levels of P-selectin were significantly higher in participants infected with S. haematobium (egg-positive) than in uninfected participants (p = 0.001). Levels of P-selectin were also higher in those exposed to cercarial antigen than in unexposed participants (p = 0.019). There was a positive correlation between P-selectin and infection intensity (r = 0.172; p = 0.002), as well as with IgM responses to CAP and SWAP (r = 0.183; p = 0.001); (r = 0.333; p < 0.0001) respectively. CRP significantly correlated with IgM responses to CAP (r = 0.133; p = 0.029) while resistin correlated with IgM responses to CAP and SWAP (r = 0.127; p = 0.016); (r = 0.197; p = 0.0004). CRP levels were higher in those exposed to cercarial and adult worm antigens than unexposed participants (p = 0.035); (p = 0.002) respectively, while resistin was higher in participants exposed to cercarial antigen than unexposed participants (p = 0.024).ConclusionIn this preschool population, P-selectin is significantly associated with urogenital schistosome infection and intensity; hence a potential biomarker for infection diagnosis and disease monitoring. The inflammatory biomarkers (P-selectin, Resistin and CRP) were significantly higher in participants exposed to cercarial antigens than unexposed individuals indicating an underlying inflammatory environment.

Effect of Schistosoma haematobium infection on the cognitive functions of preschool age children and benefits of treatment from an endemic area in Zimbabwe

“…Contrary to studies reporting the associations of nutritional status and delayed childhood development, socio-emotional, motor and cognitive development [ 49 – 56 ], we did not find any significant association between nutritional status and performance in any of the cognitive domains. In addition, our study did not show significant association of stunting in PSAC with S. haematobium infections contrary to studies that were conducted in another district (Shamva) in Zimbabwe [ 28 , 37 ].…”

“…We hypothesized that poor cognitive performance in the learning and memory domain might be caused by the inflammatory responses against the schistosome worms and or eggs. Both acute and chronic schistosomiasis cause inflammatory responses that are characterized by the production of pro -inflammatory cytokines such as Interferon gamma (IFN-γ), Interleukin-6 (IL-6), Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF), and C-reactive protein [ 34 – 36 ], [ 35 – 37 ]. These peripheral inflammatory mediators have been reported to be associated with cognitive decline and impairment as they have been reported to be able to affect the brain via different mechanisms and reported to affect working memory [ 38 – 41 ].…”

Foresight in the diagnosis of trematodiasis: innovations versus routine methods

“…Результаты анализа литературы свидетельствуют, что в целях разработки диагностикумов исследованы шистосомоза экстравезикулы [24,26], P-селектин [27], растворенные антигены яиц паразитов [28][29][30][31], сывороточные иммуноглобулины [32]. В рамках экспериментальных работ изучаются специфичные белки у животных [33,34], например сапозиноподобные белки (SjSAP4 + Sj23-LHD (большой гидрофильный домен)) обеспечили лучший диагностический результат с чувствительностью 87,04% и специфичностью 96,67% [24,[35][36][37].…”