title: Influence of Mansonella perstans microfilaraemia on total IgE levels in Gabonese patients co-infected with Loa loa.
abstract: Mansonella (M.) perstans filariasis is widely found in Africa, including Gabon where Loa loa is also endemic. This study reports the total IgE titres according to different bioclinical forms of single or co-infection with L. loa and M. perstans in 138 patients and 20 healthy controls. The median parasite density was significantly higher in cases of loiasis. IgE titres were higher in patients with microscopic dual-infection and in the group of patients with occult loiasis plus M. perstans microfilaraemia (8425 [5292-20,679]KUI/L and 6304 [1045-10,326]KUI/L, respectively), compared to individuals with either microfilaraemic Loa loa (3368 [1414-7074]KUI/L) or Mansonella (4370 [1478-7334]KUI/L) single infections (p<0.01). IgE levels were positively correlated with M. perstans microfilaraemia (rho=0.27; p<0.01). Compared to single infections, dual M. perstans-L. loa infection induces very high total IgE titres. Studies correlating IgE titres and clinical symptoms are needed to confirm the involvement of this immunoglobulin in the pathological processes during filariasis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Parasitology Mycology, Faculty of Medicine, Université des Sciences de la Santé, BP 4009 Libreville, Gabon. Electronic address: mariellebouyou@gmail.com.
authors.forename: M K
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Bouyou-Akotet
authors.affiliation: Department of Parasitology Mycology, Faculty of Medicine, Université des Sciences de la Santé, BP 4009 Libreville, Gabon.
authors.forename: M N
authors.initials: MN
authors.lastname: Moussavou Boussougou
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Université des Sciences de la Santé, Libreville, Gabon.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ovono-Abessolo
authors.affiliation: Department of Parasitology Mycology, Faculty of Medicine, Université des Sciences de la Santé, BP 4009 Libreville, Gabon.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Owono-Medang
authors.affiliation: Department of Parasitology Mycology, Faculty of Medicine, Université des Sciences de la Santé, BP 4009 Libreville, Gabon.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kombila
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000818:Animals; D000909:Antibodies, Helminth / Q000097:blood*; D060085:Coinfection; D005260:Female; D005681:Gabon / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000097:blood*; D008117:Loa / Q000276:immunology*; D008118:Loiasis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology / Q000469:parasitology; D008297:Male; D008366:Mansonella / Q000276:immunology*; D008368:Mansonelliasis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology / Q000469:parasitology; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence
chemical_list: D000909:Antibodies, Helminth; D007073:Immunoglobulin E
keywords: Gabon; Loa loa; Mansonella perstans; Total IgE