Cistero, P. | Search bioRxiv

bioRxiv2021

Plasmodium falciparum and helminth coinfections increase IgE and parasite-specific IgG responses

Coinfection with Plasmodium falciparum and helminths may impact the immune response to these parasites since they induce different immune profiles. We studied the effects of coinfections on the antibody profile in a cohort of 715 Mozambican children and adults using the Luminex technology with a panel of 16 antigens from P. falciparum and 11 antigens from helminths (Ascaris lumbricoides, hookworm, Trichuris trichiura, Strongyloides stercoralis and Schistosoma spp.) and measured antigen-specific IgG and total IgE responses. We compared the antibody profile between groups defined by P. falciparum and helminth previous exposure (based on serology) and/or current infection (determined by microscopy and/or qPCR). In multivariable regression models adjusted by demographic, socioeconomic, water and sanitation variables, individuals exposed/infected with P. falciparum and helminths had significantly higher total IgE and antigen-specific IgG levels, magnitude (sum of all levels) and breadth of response to both types of parasites compared to individuals exposed/infected with only one type of parasite (p[≤] 0.05). There was a positive association between exposure/infection to P. falciparum and exposure/infection to helminths or the number of helminth species, and vice versa (p[≤] 0.001). In addition, children coexposed/coinfected tended (p= 0.062) to have higher P. falciparum parasitemia than those single exposed/infected. Our results suggest that an increase in the antibody responses in coexposed/coinfected individuals may reflect higher exposure and be due to a more permissive immune environment to infection in the host. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT O_FIG O_LINKSMALLFIG WIDTH=200 HEIGHT=117 SRC="FIGDIR/small/445753v1_ufig1.gif" ALT="Figure 1"> View larger version (26K): org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@a1dc3corg.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@82128corg.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@18fcd98org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@2d5bb_HPS_FORMAT_FIGEXP M_FIG C_FIG

immunology↗

bioRxiv2020

Reduced placental transfer of antibodies against microbial and vaccine antigens in HIV-infected women in Mozambique

Antibody transplacental transfer is essential for conferring protection in newborns against infectious diseases. This transfer may be affected by gestational age and maternal infections, although the effects are not consistent across studies. We measured total IgG and IgG subclasses by quantitative suspension array technology against fourteen pathogens and vaccine antigens, including target of maternal immunization, in 341 delivering HIV- and HIV+ mother-infant pairs from southern Mozambique. Maternal antibody levels were the main determinant of cord antibody levels. HIV broadly reduced the placental transfer and cord levels of IgG and IgG1, but also IgG2 to half of the antigens. Plasmodium falciparum exposure and prematurity were negatively associated with cord antibody levels and placental transfer but this was antigen-subclass dependent. These findings suggest maternal infections may impact the efficacy of maternal immunization and confirm the lower transfer of antibodies as one of the causes underlying increased susceptibility to infections in HIV-exposed infants.

immunology↗