Seasonality of blood neopterin levels in the Old Order Amish

Abstract

<jats:title>Abstract</jats:title><jats:p>Seasonal changes in non-human animals and seasonal affective disorder (SAD) in humans are associated with immune activation in winter relative to summer. We intended to measure seasonal variation in neopterin, a marker of cellular immunity, and its interactions with gender and seasonality of mood. We studied 320 Amish from Lancaster, PA, USA (men=128; 40%) with an average age [Standard deviation (SD)] of 56.7 (13.9) years. Blood neopterin level was measured with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Seasonality was measured with Seasonal Pattern Assessment Questionnaire (SPAQ). Statistical analysis included analysis of covariance (ANCOVAs) and multivariate linear regression. We also investigated interactions of seasonal differences in neopterin with gender, seasonality scores and estimation of SAD diagnosis. We found a significantly higher neopterin level in winter than in summer (p=0.006). There were no significant gender or seasonality interactions. Our study confirmed the hypothesized higher neopterin level in winter. A cross sectional design was our major limitation. If this finding will be replicated by longitudinal studies in multiple groups, neopterin could be used to monitor immune status across seasons in demographically diverse samples, even if heterogeneous in gender distribution, and degree of seasonality of mood.</jats:p>

No evidence for airborne transmission of Toxoplasma gondii in a very high prevalence area in Lancaster County

“…Interestingly, it has been speculated that oocysts may become airborne, after being stirred-up in the dust, and can be subsequently inhaled and swallowed (after entering the pharynx via mucociliary transport) [59], or may contaminate food, water, or hands, leading to T. gondii infection [60]. Moreover, seasonal changes in farming conditions, including airborne dust containing T. gondii oocysts could also contribute to the seasonal changes in blood neopterin levels in the OOA, as reported previously by our group [61]. A preliminary investigation was undertaken to determine whether the airborne route of transmission of oocysts could be detected using pig and mouse bioassays, coupled with PCR detection of airborne oocysts captured on air filters or household swabs of settled dust.…”

Neopterin Levels in Bonobos Vary Seasonally and Reflect Symptomatic Respiratory Infections

“…Similarly, neopterin levels of humans and chimpanzees were higher in potentially fertile and pregnant females compared to lactating and cycling ones corresponding to hormonal fluctuation modulating immune function and to an increase in disease susceptibility in estrous and pregnant females (Boyunag ˘a et al, 2005;Negrey et al, 2021). Increased uNeo levels were also found in response to low ambient temperatures (humans: Mohyuddin et al, 2017;chimpanzees: Lo ¨hrich et al, 2018), and increased malaria transmission rates in humans (Picot et al, 1993; also see Altizer et al, 2006). In humans, seasonal fluctuations of neopterin levels have been related to a variety of factors, including variations of the microbial environment (Picot et al, 1993), compromised immune functions (Nelson, 2004), and even the presence of allergens that induce a shift to a humoral immune response (Ledochowski et al, 2001;Pinto et al, 2007).…”