Assessment of Schistosoma mansoni induced intestinal inflammation by means of eosinophil cationic protein, eosinophil protein X and myeloperoxidase before and after treatment with praziquantel

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Faecal concentrations of eosinophil cationic protein (ECP), eosinophil protein X
(EPX) and myeloperoxidase (MPO) were measured in extracts of stool samples
obtained from a cohort of people (n=182) living in Bugoigo, a fishing community
on the Eastern shore of Lake Albert, Buliisa District, in North Western Uganda
where Schistosoma mansoni is endemic. Samples were collected before treatment and
5, 15, 20 and 52 weeks after treatment with praziquantel. Significantly increased
levels of faecal ECP and EPX were found in S. mansoni infected individuals
(n=155) compared to the levels found in stools from non-infected (n=27) (median
values ECP: 11.3 microg/g vs. 5.9 microg/g, P=0.005, and EPX: 413.5 ng/g vs.
232.2 ng/g, P=0.045). An increased level of MPO was also found among the infected
individuals compared to the non-infected 11.6 mu/g vs. 5.3 mu/g, P=0.07).
Significant but weak correlations were found between faecal egg counts and faecal
concentrations of ECP and EPX. Treatment with praziquantel induced a significant
decline in both ECP and EPX, but only a non-significant reduction in faecal MPO.
Following reinfection and despite of very low infection intensities, the protein
levels increased significantly reaching the pre-treatment level (ECP and EPX) or
levels significantly higher than the pre-treatment levels (MPO). This response
pattern may imply a rebound effect during reinfection following treatment and
resolution of immune regulatory immunosuppressive mechanisms in function during
the chronic infection.
Original languageEnglish
JournalActa Tropica
Volume105
Issue number3
Pages (from-to)253-259
Number of pages7
ISSN0001-706X
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2008

ID: 9449418