In utero exposure to Onchocerca volvulus: relationship to subsequent infection intensity and cellular immune responsiveness

L H Elson, A Days, M Calvopiña, W Paredes, E Araujo, R H Guderian, J E Bradley, T B Nutman
1996 Infection and Immunity  
Afro-Ecuadorian individuals from an area where Onchocerca volvulus is hyperendemic have been monitored for infection over the past 16 years. To determine whether in utero exposure to O. volvulus biases a child's subsequent immune responses, children (9 to 16 years old) for whom the mother's infection status was known were chosen for study. Children of infected mothers (n ‫؍‬ 19) had significantly higher levels of skin microfilariae than children of uninfected mothers (n ‫؍‬ 13; P ‫؍‬ 0.021).
more » ... le the serum levels of O. volvulus-specific immunoglobulin G (IgG), IgG subclasses, and IgE showed no significant differences between the two groups of children, peripheral blood mononuclear cells of children of infected mothers produced higher levels of Th2-type cytokines to several parasite antigens and lower levels of Th1-type cytokines to nonparasite antigens than those of children of uninfected mothers. Thus, in utero exposure to O. volvulus has a long-term effect on the child's subsequent cellular immune response that may render the child more susceptible to O. volvulus infection postnatally.
doi:10.1128/iai.64.12.5061-5065.1996 fatcat:sfaz6meob5gr5jo52uf22odfuq