Delayed-type hypersensitivity reactions to Onchocerca volvulus antigens in exposed and non-exposed African individuals
✍ Scribed by Gerd-Dieter Burchard; Norbert W. Brattig; Thomas F. Kruppa; Rolf D. Horstmann
- Publisher
- Elsevier Science
- Year
- 1999
- Tongue
- English
- Weight
- 422 KB
- Volume
- 93
- Category
- Article
- ISSN
- 0035-9203
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✦ Synopsis
Although considered of critical importance, the mode of helper T-lymphocyte function in Onchocerca VOZVUZUS infection is still unclear including the role of the Thl /Th2 dichotomy. We studied the delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) reaction, which is the classical Thl response, to 0. VOZVUZUS antigens in Africans exposed and not exposed to the infection. DTH reactions were found in a small percentage of patients with generalized onchocerciasis, but in a high percentage of patients with localized onchocerciasis, in putatively immune subjects, and also in non-exposed individuals, which may be due to cross-reactivity with other nematodes. These findings support the notions of (i) prenatal influence of maternal 0. voZvuZus infection preventing development of Thl responses and/or (ii) suppression of Thl responses by the infection itself.