Immunological studies on onchocerciasis in Sierra Leone. 2. Cell-mediated immune responses after repeated treatment with ivermectin.
Cell mediated responses of peripheral blood lymphocytes were tested by incorporation of I-125 dideoxyuridine in a standard proliferation assay. The cells were collected from age and sex-matched patients selected on the basis of their clinical and parasitological status. These patients were treated with either ivermectin or placebo at 6-monthly intervals for two years. For the purpose of comparison, the patients were divided into three groups: children aged 5-9 years; 10-19 year olds; and, those older than 20 years. Repeated drug treatment over the two year period had no effect on either mitogenic or non-parasite antigen (PPD) responses in a majority of individuals. However, in younger children (5-9 years) repeated treatment with ivermectin resulted in some enhancement of Onchocerca-specific responses measured 6 months after administration of the drug. This effect was more pronounced in children presenting with positive skin-snips. An age related decline in mitogenic responses was observed.
Luty
A J
AJ
MRC Laboratory, Bo, Sierra Leone, University of Cambridge, United Kingdom.
Downham
M D
MD
Whitworth
J A
JA
Morgan
D
D
Taylor
D W
DW
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000818:Animals; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D006801:Humans; D007111:Immunity, Cellular; D007559:Ivermectin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008842:Microfilariae / Q000302:isolation & purification; D009854:Onchocerca / Q000302:isolation & purification; D009855:Onchocerciasis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology*; D012807:Sierra Leone; D012867:Skin / Q000469:parasitology; D014373:Tuberculin / Q000276:immunology
D014373:Tuberculin; D007559:Ivermectin