Host immune responses to plasmodium berhei ANKA and trichinella Zimbabwenisis infection in balb/c mice.
Loading...
Date
2015
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
Four objectives were pursued in this study; (i) metabolic and adaptive immune
responses induced in BALB/c mice infected with a tissue-dwelling nematode, Trichinella
zimbabwensis were measured, (ii) differential cytokine and antibody responses induced in
mice infected with T. zimbabwensis were determined, (iii) cytokines, anti-Trichinella and
anti-Plasmodium antibody responses in mice mono- and co-infected with Trichinella
zimbabwensis and Plasmodium berghei ANKA were determined and (iv) the effect of antihelminthic
treatment against T. zimbabwensis on immunity and malaria disease outcomes
was determined. Groups of BALB/c mice were mono- or co-infected with a crocodilederived
T. zimbabwensis (Code 1SS1209) and P. berghei ANKA parasites. At various time
points, metabolic parameters such as levels of water and food intake, glucose and insulin
were measured. Cytokine and antibody responses were also measured by ELISA. Parasite
burden and survival rates were used to determine malaria disease outcomes. The results
showed that primary T. zimbabwensis infection was characterised by significantly elevated
levels of insulin (p < 0.001) that were accompanied with hypophagia, weight loss, altered
host compensatory feeding mechanisms. Parasite specific antibodies and Th1/Th2/Th17
and T-regulatory immune responses were elevated. In co-infection, it was observed that T.
zimbabwensis induced immunomodulation that conferred protection against Plasmodium
growth and early death. Anti-helminthic treatment enhanced antibody and cytokine
production in mono- and co-infection mice (p < 0.001) and negatively affected malaria
parasite multiplication by improving survivorship of co-infected mice by 42.85% (p <
0.001). From the study, it was concluded that T. zimbabwensis parasites induce mixed
Th1/Th2/Th17 immune responses, alter host glucose metabolism and trigger
immunomodulation that ameliorated malaria disease outcome. Anti-helminthic treatment
acted as an immunomodulator for cytokine and antibody production, ameliorated malaria
infection and improved survivorship of co-infected mice. The study shows that malaria coinfection
with T. zimbabwensis and anti-helminthic treatment improves survival, enhances
immunity and ameliorates malaria. It further shows that deworming may be used as an
integrated control measure in areas where malaria and helminths are co-endemic.
Description
Doctoral Degree. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban.