Influence of Helminth Infections on the Clinical Course of and Immune Response toLeishmania braziliensisCutaneous Leishmaniasis

AbstractThe objective of the study was to identify distinct patterns in inflammatory immune responses of COVID-19 patients and to investigate their association with clinical course and outcome. Data from hospitalized COVID-19 patients were retrieved from electronic medical record. Supervised k-means clustering of serial C-reactive protein levels (CRP), absolute neutrophil counts (ANC), and absolute lymphocyte counts (ALC) was used to assign immune responses to one of three groups. Then, relationships between patterns of inflammatory responses and clinical course and outcome of COVID-19 were assessed in a discovery and validation cohort. Unbiased clustering analysis grouped 105 patients of a discovery cohort into three distinct clusters. Cluster 1 (hyper-inflammatory immune response) was characterized by high CRP levels, high ANC, and low ALC, whereas Cluster 3 (hypo-inflammatory immune response) was associated with low CRP levels and normal ANC and ALC. Cluster 2 showed an intermediate pattern. All patients in Cluster 1 required oxygen support whilst 61% patients in Cluster 2 and no patient in Cluster 3 required supplementary oxygen. Two (13.3%) patients in Cluster 1 died, whereas no patient in Clusters 2 and 3 died. The results were confirmed in an independent validation cohort of 116 patients. We identified three different patterns of inflammatory immune response to COVID-19. Hyper-inflammatory immune responses with elevated CRP, neutrophilia, and lymphopenia are associated with a severe disease and a worse outcome. Therefore, targeting the hyper-inflammatory response might improve the clinical outcome of COVID-19.

Download Full-text

Ocular dirofilariasis in practical ophthalmology

The Eye ◽

10.33791/2222-4408-2020-3-23-25 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 22 (3(131)) ◽

pp. 23-25

Author(s):

T. A. Sharova

Keyword(s):

Immune Response ◽

Surgical Intervention ◽

Clinical Course ◽

Case Reports ◽

Research Data ◽

Medical Professionals ◽

Parasitic Diseases ◽

Host Parasite

Parasitic diseases of the eye are a widespread and poorly studied problem. This article is intended to systematize the possible mechanisms of infection and to determine the features of the clinical course and treatment of an ocular dirofilariasis. For this purpose, case reports and research data from medical professionals from Europe and Asia are presented. Conclusions were drawn regarding the dependence of the clinical course on the host – parasite interaction and immune response and that the only applicable method of treatment in all the cases considered was surgical intervention.

Download Full-text

Immunoinflammatory Profile in Patients with Episodic and Continuous Paranoid Schizophrenia

Consortium Psychiatricum ◽

10.17816/cp66 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 2 (1) ◽

pp. 19-31

Author(s):

Irina K. Malashenkova ◽

Sergey A. Krynskiy ◽

Daniil P. Ogurtsov ◽

Nikita A. Hailov ◽

Natalia V. Zakharova ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Immune Response ◽

T Cells ◽

Adaptive Immunity ◽

Systemic Inflammation ◽

Negative Symptoms ◽

Clinical Course ◽

Paranoid Schizophrenia ◽

C Reactive Protein ◽

Reactive Protein ◽

Positive And Negative Symptoms

Introduction. Associations of disturbances in innate and adaptive immunity during the clinical course of schizophrenia have been found in a number of studies. Yet, the relationship of immune parameters and systemic inflammation in relation to the clinical course of the disease and its prognosis, remains poorly understood, which highlights an interesting topic for further research. The goal of this study was to research the immuno-inflammatory changes in patients with clinical continuous and episodic paranoid schizophrenia, to assess the pathogenetic significance of these changes. Methods. Thirty-six patients with paranoid schizophrenia, of which 20 had episodic symptoms and 16 had continuous symptoms, consented to participate in the study, together with 30 healthy volunteers. In the study we assessed the parameters of innate immune response (serum levels of key pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines, C-reactive protein) and the adaptive immune response, including humoral-mediated immunity (serum immunoglobulins IgA, IgM, IgG, circulating immune complexes), as well as the cell link of adaptive immunity (key lymphocyte subpopulations). Positive and negative symptoms were assessed with the positive and negative symptoms scale; frontal dysfunction was assessed by Frontal Assessment Battery (FAB). Results. Both patient groups had higher than normal levels of C-reactive protein and IL-8. There was a significant elevation of circulating immune complexes among patients with continuous symptoms of schizophrenia, compared to patients with episodic symptoms and healthy controls. Levels of CD45+CD3+ lymphocytes (T-cells) differed between clinical groups, with higher values identified among patients with episodic symptoms and lower values among those with continuous symptoms. In addition, patients with episodic symptoms had significantly increased levels of CD45+CD3+CD4+CD25+CD127- regulatory T-cells. Finally, the level of CD45+CD3-CD19+ B-cells was significantly higher among patients with continuous symptoms vs. patients with episodic symptoms and the control groups. Markers of activation of humoral immunity were associated with the severity of frontal disorders in these patients. Discussion. Comprehensive data on the serum level of cytokines and the parameters of adaptive immunity among individuals with continuous schizophrenia, by comparison with patients with episodic schizophrenia, are practically absent in the literature. We have shown that among those with continuous schizophrenia, there are signs of systemic inflammation and chronic activation of the adaptive humoral immune response, while among patients with episodic symptoms of the disease, there are signs of systemic inflammation and certain activation of cell-mediated immunity, without significant changes in the humoral link of adaptive immunity. Conclusion. More studies are needed, but the data obtained in this study are important for subsequent clinical studies of new treatment methods, based on various immunophenotypes of schizophrenia.

Download Full-text

Helminth Infections: Recognition and Modulation of the Immune Response by Innate Immune Cells

Frontiers in Immunology ◽

10.3389/fimmu.2018.00664 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 9 ◽

Cited By ~ 34

Author(s):

Claudia Cristina Motran ◽

Leonardo Silvane ◽

Laura Silvina Chiapello ◽

Martin Gustavo Theumer ◽

Laura Fernanda Ambrosio ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Immune Response ◽

Immune Cells ◽

Innate Immune ◽

Innate Immune Cells ◽

Helminth Infections

Download Full-text

Helminth Parasites Alter Protection againstPlasmodiumInfection

BioMed Research International ◽

10.1155/2014/913696 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 2014 ◽

pp. 1-19 ◽

Cited By ~ 16

Author(s):

Víctor H. Salazar-Castañon ◽

Martha Legorreta-Herrera ◽

Miriam Rodriguez-Sosa

Keyword(s):

Immune Response ◽

Immune System ◽

Immune Responses ◽

Parasite Density ◽

Parasitic Disease ◽

Helminth Parasites ◽

Helminth Infections ◽

Helminthic Infections ◽

Severity Of The Disease ◽

Type Response

More than one-third of the world’s population is infected with one or more helminthic parasites. Helminth infections are prevalent throughout tropical and subtropical regions where malaria pathogens are transmitted. Malaria is the most widespread and deadliest parasitic disease. The severity of the disease is strongly related to parasite density and the host’s immune responses. Furthermore, coinfections between both parasites occur frequently. However, little is known regarding how concomitant infection with helminths andPlasmodiumaffects the host’s immune response. Helminthic infections are frequently massive, chronic, and strong inductors of a Th2-type response. This implies that infection by such parasites could alter the host’s susceptibility to subsequent infections byPlasmodium. There are a number of reports on the interactions between helminths andPlasmodium; in some, the burden ofPlasmodiumparasites increased, but others reported a reduction in the parasite. This review focuses on explaining many of these discrepancies regarding helminth-Plasmodiumcoinfections in terms of the effects that helminths have on the immune system. In particular, it focuses on helminth-induced immunosuppression and the effects of cytokines controlling polarization toward the Th1 or Th2 arms of the immune response.

Download Full-text

Assessment of the Immune Reconstitution by Cylex Immuknow™ Assay in Patients after Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplantation.

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood.v108.11.3219.3219 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 108 (11) ◽

pp. 3219-3219

Author(s):

Benjamin Gesundheit ◽

Yehudit Azar ◽

Rachel Bringer ◽

Schivti Steinberg-Prop ◽

Moshe Israeli ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Immune Response ◽

Stem Cell ◽

Stem Cell Transplantation ◽

Immune Function ◽

Cell Transplantation ◽

Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplantation ◽

Immune Reconstitution ◽

Clinical Course ◽

Clinical Applications ◽

Atp Levels

Abstract After engraftment of allogeneic stem cell transplantation (allo-SCT) patients are severely immuno-suppressed and are susceptible for recurrent opportunistic infections on one hand; on the other hand, particularly without immunosuppressive treatment over-activity of the graft can lead to uncontrolled acute or chronic graft-versus-host disease (GvHD); optimal immunological activity of the graft is necessary to control the underlying malignant disease and to prevent relapse. Therefore, accurate immune monitoring is crucial for the assessment and appropriate management of the immune-compromised patients after allo-SCT. Since October 2005 up to 6 consecutive blood samples were collected from 51 patients undergoing allo-SCT in Hadassah Medical Center following engraftment. Immune function was analyzed by Cylex Immuknow™ assay, an FDA approved immune cell function test for the assessment of cell-mediated immunity. ATP activity from magnetically separated and lysed CD4 lymphocytes is measured by light intensity, thereby reflecting the current immune function of the patient. From other clinical applications of this test, the following stratification of the immune response was established according to the following levels of ATP activity: Low (0–225 ng/mL), moderate (225–525 ng/mL) and high activity (>525 ng/mL) of immune response. Our preliminary results from allo-SCT patients are in keeping with their clinical course and the known stratification of the ATP level:The gradual increase to moderate ATP levels over several months after allo-SCT are in keeping with normal immune reconstitution with an uneventful post transplant clinical course;high ATP levels were observed in patients prior to the clinical presentation of acute GVHD;low ATP levels were associated with recurrent infections and relapse. Remarkably, there was no correlation with the recovery of the white cell count after allo-SCT. Our results with consecutive tests are the first study of Cylex Immuknow™ assay in patients after allo-SCT and are in keeping with other currently known clinical applications of this assay for other indications. Our preliminary observations indicate a promising contribution of Cylex Immuknow™ assay as a simple and fast monitoring technique for patients undergoing allo-SCT, which might also predict clinical complications. Our future follow-up studies aim to confirm these preliminary results in order to gain confidence in the assay’s clinical contribution as a possible standard test for patients after allo-SCT.

Download Full-text

Effect of interferon on the direction of polarization of the immune response to influenza in children

Pediatrician (St Petersburg) ◽

10.17816/ped5351-57 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 5 (3) ◽

pp. 51-57

Author(s):

Yekaterina Georgiyevna Golovacheva ◽

Olga Ivanovna Afanasyeva ◽

Lyudmila Viktorovna Osidak ◽

Yelena Viktorovna Obraztsova ◽

Lyubov Vasilyevna Voloshchuk

Keyword(s):

Immune Response ◽

Interferon Gamma ◽

Clinical Course ◽

Influenza Infection ◽

Age Groups ◽

Interleukin 4 ◽

Humoral Immune ◽

Severe Intoxication ◽

Severity Of The Disease ◽

Direction Of Polarization

In 1900 children of different ages and 690 adults with laboratory confirmed influenza in different epidemic seasons studied levels of interferons and interleukins 4 and 10 in the serum calculating the ratio of interleukin 4, 10 to interferon gamma. There are three type of immune response to influenza depending on the clinical course. It was shown that in flu with moderate intoxication in 66.3 % of cases in children and 72.0 % of adults marked polarization on Th1 type with increase level in serum and spontaneous interferon gamma in all age groups, in which the ratio of IL-4/IFN-g from 0.8 to 2, while in severe intoxication only 33.5 and 43.9 %, respectively. In children with bronchitis immune response Th2 type and mixed Th1/Th2 type were observed in 54.6 and 33.3 % of cases respectively, and only 12.1 % of Th1 type. With influenza, pneumonia is a complication, in 76 % of cases were determined humoral immune response by Th2 type when the ratio of IL-4/IFN-g and IL-10/ IFN-g is greater than 3, due to the increase of the content of interleukin 4 and 10, while significantly reducing levels of interferon gamma. In 23.7 % of cases observed Th1/Th2 mixed type of immune response with a ratio of 2 to 3. The obtained data allow us to determine the type of immune response to influenza infection and to predict the severity of the disease and the development of complications in children and adults, and also to determine the necessity of including in the therapy drugs of immunocorrection.

Download Full-text

Cellular immune response against acetylcholine receptor in myasthenia gravis: I. Relevance to clinical course and pathogenesis

Neurology ◽

10.1212/wnl.29.4.496 ◽

1979 ◽

Vol 29 (4) ◽

pp. 496-496 ◽

Cited By ~ 41

Author(s):

B. M. Conti-Tronconi ◽

M. Morgutti ◽

A. Sghirlanzoni ◽

F. Clementi

Keyword(s):

Immune Response ◽

Myasthenia Gravis ◽

Acetylcholine Receptor ◽

Cellular Immune Response ◽

Clinical Course ◽

Cellular Immune

Download Full-text

Genetic Susceptibility to Chagas Disease: An Overview about the Infection and about the Association between Disease and the Immune Response Genes

BioMed Research International ◽

10.1155/2013/284729 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 2013 ◽

pp. 1-13 ◽

Cited By ~ 26

Author(s):

Christiane Maria Ayo ◽

Márcia Machado de Oliveira Dalalio ◽

Jeane Eliete Laguila Visentainer ◽

Pâmela Guimarães Reis ◽

Emília Ângela Sippert ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Immune Response ◽

Chagas Disease ◽

Chronic Infection ◽

Genetic Factors ◽

Clinical Course ◽

Clinical Manifestations ◽

Severity Of Disease ◽

Host Genetic ◽

Host Genetic Factors

Chagas disease, which is caused by the flagellate parasiteTrypanosoma cruzi, affects 8–10 million people in Latin America. The disease is endemic and is characterised by acute and chronic phases that develop in the indeterminate, cardiac, and/or gastrointestinal forms. The immune response during humanT. cruziinfection is not completely understood, despite its role in driving the development of distinct clinical manifestations of chronic infection. Polymorphisms in genes involved in the innate and specific immune response are being widely studied in order to clarify their possible role in the occurrence or severity of disease. Here we review the role of classic and nonclassic MHC,KIR, and cytokine host genetic factors on the infection byT. cruziand the clinical course of Chagas disease.

Download Full-text