Expression of interleukin-4 in schistosomiasis is influenced by age.
<h4>Background</h4>Schistosomiasis, a Neglected Tropical Disease (NTD), remains a significant public health issue, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. Despite various interventions, the disease persists, with a considerable burden on affected populations. This study aimed to characterize...
Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Public Library of Science (PLoS)
2025-06-01
|
| Series: | PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0013176 |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1849329214547820544 |
|---|---|
| author | Tresford Lwanga Lweendo Muchaili Gift C Chama Lukundo Siame Cornelius Simutanda Situmbeko Liweleya Bislom C Mweene Sydney Mulamfu Sepiso K Masenga |
| author_facet | Tresford Lwanga Lweendo Muchaili Gift C Chama Lukundo Siame Cornelius Simutanda Situmbeko Liweleya Bislom C Mweene Sydney Mulamfu Sepiso K Masenga |
| author_sort | Tresford Lwanga |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | <h4>Background</h4>Schistosomiasis, a Neglected Tropical Disease (NTD), remains a significant public health issue, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. Despite various interventions, the disease persists, with a considerable burden on affected populations. This study aimed to characterize the hematological and immunological profiles associated with Schistosoma infection in pediatric and adult populations in Mulobezi district of Zambia.<h4>Methods</h4>This was a cross-sectional study, which included participants aged 5-55 years, carried out in Mulobezi District in the Western Province of Zambia. The sample size was 143, participants were stratified into children (<15 years) and adults (≥15 years). Schistosomiasis diagnosis was confirmed through urine microscopy using filtration methods, while full blood count and cytokine (IL-4, IL-10) analysis were performed on blood samples. A Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify factors independently associated with infection. Statistical analyses were conducted using two-sided tests to assess the significance of the observed differences between groups.<h4>Results</h4>Out of the 143 participants, 56 (39.2%) had schistosomiasis. In adjusted models, IL-4 showed age-dependent associations: significant in adults (AOR: 1.007, 95% CI: 1.003-1.012, p = 0.001) but not children (AOR: 1.001, 95% CI: 0.999-1.003, p = 0.072). Lymphocyte counts were elevated in both children (AOR: 1.94, 95% CI: 1.07-3.54, p = 0.029) and adults (AOR: 2.96, 95% CI: 1.19-7.36, p = 0.020). Eosinophils (children: AOR: 13.94, 95% CI: 0.24-811.21, p = 0.204; adults: AOR: 12.27, 95% CI: 0.73-207.13, p = 0.082) and IL-10 lost significance after adjustment.<h4>Conclusion</h4>This study highlights IL-4 and lymphocyte counts as potential immunomarkers for schistosomiasis infection. The age-specific IL-4 association suggests differential immune activation patterns, while persistent lymphocyte elevation across both groups indicates sustained adaptive immune engagement. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-2d675ec8e82a4ca0908492d50cdb10af |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1935-2727 1935-2735 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
| publisher | Public Library of Science (PLoS) |
| record_format | Article |
| series | PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases |
| spelling | doaj-art-2d675ec8e82a4ca0908492d50cdb10af2025-08-20T03:47:20ZengPublic Library of Science (PLoS)PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases1935-27271935-27352025-06-01196e001317610.1371/journal.pntd.0013176Expression of interleukin-4 in schistosomiasis is influenced by age.Tresford LwangaLweendo MuchailiGift C ChamaLukundo SiameCornelius SimutandaSitumbeko LiweleyaBislom C MweeneSydney MulamfuSepiso K Masenga<h4>Background</h4>Schistosomiasis, a Neglected Tropical Disease (NTD), remains a significant public health issue, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. Despite various interventions, the disease persists, with a considerable burden on affected populations. This study aimed to characterize the hematological and immunological profiles associated with Schistosoma infection in pediatric and adult populations in Mulobezi district of Zambia.<h4>Methods</h4>This was a cross-sectional study, which included participants aged 5-55 years, carried out in Mulobezi District in the Western Province of Zambia. The sample size was 143, participants were stratified into children (<15 years) and adults (≥15 years). Schistosomiasis diagnosis was confirmed through urine microscopy using filtration methods, while full blood count and cytokine (IL-4, IL-10) analysis were performed on blood samples. A Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify factors independently associated with infection. Statistical analyses were conducted using two-sided tests to assess the significance of the observed differences between groups.<h4>Results</h4>Out of the 143 participants, 56 (39.2%) had schistosomiasis. In adjusted models, IL-4 showed age-dependent associations: significant in adults (AOR: 1.007, 95% CI: 1.003-1.012, p = 0.001) but not children (AOR: 1.001, 95% CI: 0.999-1.003, p = 0.072). Lymphocyte counts were elevated in both children (AOR: 1.94, 95% CI: 1.07-3.54, p = 0.029) and adults (AOR: 2.96, 95% CI: 1.19-7.36, p = 0.020). Eosinophils (children: AOR: 13.94, 95% CI: 0.24-811.21, p = 0.204; adults: AOR: 12.27, 95% CI: 0.73-207.13, p = 0.082) and IL-10 lost significance after adjustment.<h4>Conclusion</h4>This study highlights IL-4 and lymphocyte counts as potential immunomarkers for schistosomiasis infection. The age-specific IL-4 association suggests differential immune activation patterns, while persistent lymphocyte elevation across both groups indicates sustained adaptive immune engagement.https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0013176 |
| spellingShingle | Tresford Lwanga Lweendo Muchaili Gift C Chama Lukundo Siame Cornelius Simutanda Situmbeko Liweleya Bislom C Mweene Sydney Mulamfu Sepiso K Masenga Expression of interleukin-4 in schistosomiasis is influenced by age. PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases |
| title | Expression of interleukin-4 in schistosomiasis is influenced by age. |
| title_full | Expression of interleukin-4 in schistosomiasis is influenced by age. |
| title_fullStr | Expression of interleukin-4 in schistosomiasis is influenced by age. |
| title_full_unstemmed | Expression of interleukin-4 in schistosomiasis is influenced by age. |
| title_short | Expression of interleukin-4 in schistosomiasis is influenced by age. |
| title_sort | expression of interleukin 4 in schistosomiasis is influenced by age |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0013176 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT tresfordlwanga expressionofinterleukin4inschistosomiasisisinfluencedbyage AT lweendomuchaili expressionofinterleukin4inschistosomiasisisinfluencedbyage AT giftcchama expressionofinterleukin4inschistosomiasisisinfluencedbyage AT lukundosiame expressionofinterleukin4inschistosomiasisisinfluencedbyage AT corneliussimutanda expressionofinterleukin4inschistosomiasisisinfluencedbyage AT situmbekoliweleya expressionofinterleukin4inschistosomiasisisinfluencedbyage AT bislomcmweene expressionofinterleukin4inschistosomiasisisinfluencedbyage AT sydneymulamfu expressionofinterleukin4inschistosomiasisisinfluencedbyage AT sepisokmasenga expressionofinterleukin4inschistosomiasisisinfluencedbyage |