Serum cytokine profile of pregnant women with malaria, intestinal helminths and HIV infections in Ibadan, Nigeria

Malaria, helminthiasis and HIV are widespread in developing countries taking a heavy toll on pregnant women. Due to similar environmental and human factors of transmission, they co-exist. The epidemiology and pathology of these diseases have been extensively studied but data on serum cytokine profile changes which is crucial in pregnancy is limited. The aim of this study was to evaluate the co-infections and their impact on peripheral blood cytokines. Blood and stool samples were collected from recruited 18-45-year-old pregnant women in different trimesters who were apparently healthy with no obvious complications in pregnancy. Pretested questionnaires were administered for personal and socio-demographic details. Malaria parasitemia in Giemsa-stained thick blood films was examined microscopically. Stool samples were screened for helminths using Kato-Katz method. Cytokine levels of TNE-alpha, IFN-gamma, IL-1 alpha, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, IL-12p70, IL-13 and IL-17 in 121 serum samples were determined using ELISA. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and Mann-Whitney U test at alpha(0.05) Relative to the single infections, there were significant reductions in IFN-gamma and IL-13 in second and third trimesters respectively in those with Plasmodium and helminth co-infection. IFN-gamma and IL-17 were elevated while IL-1 alpha and IL-12p70 were reduced in co-infection of helminths and HIV. Co-infection of Plasmodium and HIV in second and third trimesters showed significant elevations in IL-1 alpha, IL-10 and IL-17 while TNE-alpha, IL-4 and IL-12p70 were significantly reduced. HIV in pregnancy and its co-infection with Plasmodium resulted in significant distortions in the cytokine profile. However, helminth and its co-infection with Plasmodium or HIV produced less changes in the cytokine profile.

Automated summary

Malaria, helminthiasis, and HIV are highly prevalent among pregnant women in developing countries. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of co-infections on peripheral blood cytokines. The results showed significant changes in cytokine levels among those with co-infections compared to single infections, including reductions in IFN-gamma and IL-13 and elevations in IFN-gamma and IL-17.