Presence of intestinal helminths decreases T helper type 1 responses in tuberculoid leprosy patients and may increase the risk for multi-bacillary leprosy.
Clin Exp Immunol
; 161(1): 142-50, 2010 Jul 01.
Article
de En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-20491787
ABSTRACT
Resistance to intracellular pathogens such as Mycobacterium leprae is dependent upon an effective T helper type 1 (Th1)-type immune response. On the other hand, intestinal helminths are known to subvert the host's immune response towards to either a Th2-type immune response or a regulatory T cell up-regulation, which may affect the host's ability to mount an effective response to mycobacteria. Here, we report a significant association between intestinal helminth infections and lepromatous leprosy [odds ratio (OR), 10.88; confidence interval (CI) 95% 4.02-29.4; P<0.001]. We also observed that the frequency of intestinal helminths correlated strongly with the mycobacterial index (r=0.982, P<0.01). Corroborating with our hypothesis, intracellular levels of interferon-gamma were decreased significantly in leprosy patients co-infected with intestinal helminths when compared to leprosy patients without worms. Conversely, lepromatous leprosy patients with intestinal worms produced higher levels of both interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-10. Our results suggest that a pre-existing infection by intestinal helminths may facilitate the establishment of M. leprae infection or its progression to more severe forms of leprosy.
Texte intégral:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Base de données:
MEDLINE
Sujet principal:
Lèpre lépromateuse
/
Lèpre tuberculoïde
/
Lymphocytes auxiliaires Th1
/
Parasitoses intestinales
Type d'étude:
Etiology_studies
/
Observational_studies
/
Prevalence_studies
/
Risk_factors_studies
Pays/Région comme sujet:
America do sul
/
Brasil
Langue:
En
Journal:
Clin Exp Immunol
Année:
2010
Type de document:
Article
Pays d'affiliation:
Brésil