In:
PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases, Public Library of Science (PLoS), Vol. 17, No. 8 ( 2023-8-3), p. e0011503-
Abstract:
Previous studies have described the association of onchocerciasis (caused by Onchocerca volvulus ) with epilepsy, including nodding syndrome, although a clear etiological link is still missing. Cases are found in different African countries (Tanzania, South Sudan, Uganda, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Central African Republic and Cameroon). In our study we investigated immunological parameters (cytokine, chemokine, immunoglobulin levels) in individuals from the Mahenge area, Tanzania, presenting with either epilepsy or nodding syndrome with or without O . volvulus infection and compared them to O . volvulus negative individuals from the same endemic area lacking neurological disorders. Additionally, cell differentiation was performed using blood smears and systemic levels of neurodegeneration markers, leiomodin-1 and N-acetyltyramine-O, β-glucuronide (NATOG) were determined. Our findings revealed that cytokines, most chemokines and neurodegeneration markers were comparable between both groups presenting with epilepsy or nodding syndrome. However, we observed elevated eosinophil percentages within the O . volvulus positive epilepsy/nodding syndrome patients accompanied with increased eosinophilic cationic protein (ECP) and antigen-specific IgG levels in comparison to those without an O . volvulus infection. Furthermore, highest levels of NATOG were found in O . volvulus positive nodding syndrome patients. These findings highlight that the detection of distinct biomarkers might be useful for a differential diagnosis of epilepsy and nodding syndrome in O . volvulus endemic areas. Trial-registration: NCT03653975 .
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
1935-2735
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pntd.0011503
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pntd.0011503.g001
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pntd.0011503.g002
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pntd.0011503.g003
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pntd.0011503.g004
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pntd.0011503.g005
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pntd.0011503.g006
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pntd.0011503.g007
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pntd.0011503.g008
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pntd.0011503.t001
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pntd.0011503.s001
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pntd.0011503.s002
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pntd.0011503.s003
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pntd.0011503.s004
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pntd.0011503.s005
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pntd.0011503.s006
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pntd.0011503.s007
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pntd.0011503.s008
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pntd.0011503.s009
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pntd.0011503.r001
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pntd.0011503.r002
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pntd.0011503.r003
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pntd.0011503.r004
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pntd.0011503.r005
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pntd.0011503.r006
Language:
English
Publisher:
Public Library of Science (PLoS)
Publication Date:
2023
detail.hit.zdb_id:
2429704-5
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