Epilepsy and nodding syndrome in association with an < i > Onchocerca volvulus < /i > infection drive distinct immune profile patterns

by Kathrin Arndts, Josua Kegele, Alain S. Massarani, Manuel Ritter, Thomas Wagner, Kenneth Pfarr, Christine L ämmer, Peter Dörmann, Helga Peisker, Dirk Menche, Mazen Al-Bahra, Clarissa Prazeres da Costa, Erich Schmutzhard, William Matuja, Achim Hoerauf, Laura E. Layland-Heni, Andrea S. Winkler Previous studies have described the association of onchocerciasis (caused byOnchocerca volvulus) with epilepsy, including nodding syndrome, although a clear etiological link is still missing. Cases are found in different African countries (Tanzania, South Sudan, Uganda, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Central African Republic and Cameroon). In our study we investigated immunological parameters (cytokine, chemokine, immunoglobulin levels) in individuals from the Mahenge area, Tanzania, presenting with either epilepsy or nodding syndrome with or withoutO.volvulus infection and compared them toO.volvulus negative individuals from the same endemic area lacking neurological disorders. Additionally, cell differentiation was performed using blood smears and systemic levels of neurodegeneration markers, leiomodin-1 and N-acetyltyramine-O, β-glucuronide (NATOG) were determined. Our findings revealed that cytokines, most chemokines and neurodegeneration markers were comparable between both groups presenting with epilepsy or nodding syndrome. However, we observed elevated eosinophil percentages within theO.volvulus positive epilepsy/nodding syndrome patients accompanied with increased eosino...
Source: PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases - Category: Tropical Medicine Authors: Source Type: research