[Studies on human cytokine responses before and after praziquantel chemotherapy in an endemic area of schistosomiasis japonica].
OBJECTIVE
To observe the cellular immune responses in a population of an endemic area of schistosomiasis japonica and the influence of praziquantel treatment.


METHODS
Blood was taken from 129 residents (64 cases were egg-positive, 65 cases were egg-negitive) of an endemic area of Poyang Lake before and 45 days after praziquantel treatment. Cytokines induced by the schistosome soluble egg antigen (SEA) and soluble worm antigen preparations (SWAP) in the peripheral blood cells including IL-5, IL-10 and IFN-gamma were measured.


RESULTS
Among 129 cases, the cytokine levels were found much higher in egg negative individuals than in egg-positive individuals. The cytokine levels induced by both antigens were increased significantly after praziqantel treatment especially IL-5 and IFN-gamma.


CONCLUSIONS
The cellular immune responses in the population in schistosomiasis japonica endemic area exhibited a general trend of down-regulation and were elevated significantly after praziquantel treatment.
Shen
L
L
Laboratory of Molecular and Immuno-Parasitology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029.
Wu
H W
HW
Zhang
Z S
ZS
Weir
R
R
Shao
L J
LJ
Xie
Z W
ZW
Hu
L S
LS
Chen
S Z
SZ
Su
C
C
Zhang
T
T
Taylor
M G
MG
Wu
G L
GL
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D000871:Anthelmintics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000947:Antigens, Helminth / Q000276:immunology; D016207:Cytokines / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D006801:Humans; D011223:Praziquantel / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012549:Schistosoma japonicum / Q000276:immunology; D012554:Schistosomiasis japonica / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology
D000871:Anthelmintics; D000947:Antigens, Helminth; D016207:Cytokines; D011223:Praziquantel