Characteristics of SARS-CoV-2 and Opisthorchis viverrini coinfections: insights into immune responses and clinical outcomes.
Parasitol Res
; 123(8): 297, 2024 Aug 09.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-39120805
ABSTRACT
The effects of co-infections with SARS-CoV-2 and parasitic diseases have been little investigated in terms of immune response, disease dynamics, and clinical outcomes. This study aimed to explore the impact of co-infection with Opisthorchis viverrini and SARS-CoV-2 on the immune response concerning clinical symptoms and the severity of pulmonary abnormalities. A cross-sectional study was conducted, including healthy participants as controls, participants with opisthorchiasis, SARS-CoV-2 infection, and a co-infection group with both diseases. Characteristics of SARS-CoV-2 infection were assessed based on clinical parameters and severity of pulmonary abnormalities, whereas opisthorchiasis burden was evaluated by eggs-per-gram (EPG) counts. Immune responses were assessed by measuring levels of interferon-γ (IFN-γ), SARS-CoV-2 anti-spike receptor binding domain (RBD) IgG, and neutralizing antibody against SARS-CoV-2. In the co-infected group, clinical parameters and hospitalization rates were lower than in the SARS-CoV-2 group. Pulmonary abnormalities, such as bronchial fibrosis, were commonly observed in the SARS-CoV-2 group, leading to hospitalization in some cases. Participants with opisthorchiasis had higher IFN-γ levels than healthy individuals. IFN-γ levels were significantly lower in the co-infection group compared with the SARS-CoV-2 group (P = 0.002). There was a significant (P = 0.044) positive correlation between RBD-specific IgG and percent neutralization levels in the SARS-CoV-2 group. Levels of both were somewhat lower (not statistically significant) in the co-infection group. A negative correlation was observed between opisthorchiasis burden (EPG counts) and IFN-γ and RBD-specific IgG levels in the co-infected group. Following vaccination, the increase in IgG levels against the RBD protein was significantly lower in the co-infected group than in the SARS-CoV-2 group. These results suggest that O. viverrini infection suppresses immune responses and may lead to a reduction in severity in cases of SARS-CoV-2 co-infection.
Palabras clave
Texto completo:
1
Colección:
01-internacional
Base de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Opistorquiasis
/
Opisthorchis
/
Coinfección
/
SARS-CoV-2
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COVID-19
Límite:
Adult
/
Aged
/
Animals
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Female
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Humans
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Male
/
Middle aged
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Parasitol Res
Asunto de la revista:
PARASITOLOGIA
Año:
2024
Tipo del documento:
Article
País de afiliación:
Tailandia
Pais de publicación:
Alemania