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The impact of helminth infection in patients with active tuberculosis
Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Medical Microbiology. Linköping University, Faculty of Health Sciences.
2013 (English)Doctoral thesis, comprehensive summary (Other academic)
Abstract [en]

The geographic distribution of helminth infection and tuberculosis (TB) overlap substantially. Experimental animal models and limited data from humans have shown that intestinal helminths could subvert the host immune response towards a T-helper 2 (Th2)-type immune response and an increased regulatory T-cell activity (Tregs). This in turn affects the host's ability to mount an effective Th1 immune-mediated protection against Mycobacterium tuberculosis. However, evidence for this hypothesis in the human setting from helminth infected TB patients is limited. This thesis primarily focuses on the immunological and clinical impact of helminth infection on pulmonary TB. The kinetics of the Quantiferon-Gold (QFN) assay, which measures IFN-³ response to TB-specific antigens in whole blood was assessed and showed a modest decline during TB treatment to the level observed for healthy blood donors. We further assessed another clinical monitoring tool, the-TB-score, composed of clinical signs and symptoms of TB, and found an early decline two weeks after initiation of TB- treatment where a failure of decline correlated with increased mortality. Overall, the helminth co-infection rate was significantly higher in TB patients compared to healthy controls. Helminth co-infection was associated to a significantly higher rate of eosinophilia and IgE-levels in healthy controls and patients with tuberculosis. During the first weeks of anti-TB treatment, a marked decrease in the rate of helminth infection was observed in HIV co-infected compared to HIV-negative TB patients. However, helminth co-infection was more common in HIV negative than HIV positive TB patients. There was no detectable impact of helminth infection on the clinical presentation of pulmonary tuberculosis. At baseline, helminth co-infected TB patients showed an increased frequency of Tregs compared to helminth negative TB patients and healthy controls. This was accompanied by an increased rate of PPD stimulated IL-5 and spontaneous production of IL-10 by peripheral blood mononuclear cells among helminth co-infected TB patients. A placebo controlled randomized trial was conducted in order to test the hypothesis that albendazole treatment of helminth positive TB patients may improve the clinical response of TB by reducing the immunmodulatory effect of helminthes on TB immunity. A total of 140 helminth co-infected TB patients were randomized to albendazole (400 mg per os for three consecutive days) or placebo. No significant difference was observed between the albendazole and placebo group in terms of the primary outcome (TB score change between baseline and week 8). Among the secondary outcomes, a significant decline of peripheral eosinophil cells was observed in the albendazole treated group, but no effect on other outcome variables (changes in chest x-ray findings, IgE level and sputum smear conversion). Regarding the immunological assessment no significant difference was observed for changes in Tregs, and PPD-induced production of IFN- ³ or IL-5 although a non-significant trend of a decrease in IL-10 expressing PBMCs were observed in the albendazole group. Taken together, the burden of helminth infection was higher in TB patients than in a healthy control group. Helminth co-infection during pulmonary TB in the human setting induces an immune response characterized by increased IgE production, eosinophilia as well as increased levels of Tregs and spontaneous IL-10 production. Thus, the immunological impact of helminth infection on the outcome and risk for developing TB merits further investigation.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Linköping: Linköping University Electronic Press, 2013. , p. 84
Series
Linköping University Medical Dissertations, ISSN 0345-0082 ; 1361
National Category
Medical and Health Sciences
Identifiers
URN: urn:nbn:se:liu:diva-91833ISBN: 978-91-7519-653-4 (print)OAI: oai:DiVA.org:liu-91833DiVA, id: diva2:619214
Public defence
2013-06-05, Berzeliussalen, Hälsouniversitetet, Campus US, Linköpings universitet, Linköping, 13:00 (English)
Opponent
Supervisors
Available from: 2013-05-02 Created: 2013-05-02 Last updated: 2019-12-08Bibliographically approved
List of papers
1. Kinetics of the QuantiFERON((R))-TB Gold In-Tube test during treatment of patients with sputum smear-positive tuberculosis in relation to initial TST result and severity of disease
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Kinetics of the QuantiFERON((R))-TB Gold In-Tube test during treatment of patients with sputum smear-positive tuberculosis in relation to initial TST result and severity of disease
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2010 (English)In: Scandinavian journal of infectious diseases, ISSN 1651-1980, Vol. 42, no 9, p. 650-657Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

Abstract The QuantiFERON((R))-TB Gold In-Tube test (QFN) measures interferon-gamma production in response to Mycobacterium tuberculosis antigens. Our aim was to assess the kinetics of the QFN and initial tuberculin skin test (TST) result in relation to severity of disease in a tuberculosis (TB) endemic area. Smear-positive TB patients (n = 71) were recruited at Gondar University Hospital, Ethiopia. The TST, QFN, CD4+ cell count and clinical symptoms (TB score) were assessed and followed up during treatment. From baseline to 7 months after treatment, there was a significant decrease in QFN reactivity (93.8% to 62.5% in HIV-negative/TB; 70.3% to 33.3% in HIV-positive/TB patients) down to a level comparable to a control group of blood donors (51.2%). The agreement between TST and QFN was poor in TB patients compared to healthy controls. A negative TST correlated to more advanced TB in contrast to a negative QFN test. We conclude that the QFN reactivity is significantly reduced at the end of treatment against active TB to the background level of healthy blood donors, and that the agreement between TST and QFN is poor including correlation to the severity of disease.

National Category
Medical and Health Sciences
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:liu:diva-58804 (URN)10.3109/00365548.2010.482942 (DOI)000282716000002 ()20465490 (PubMedID)
Available from: 2010-08-27 Created: 2010-08-27 Last updated: 2013-05-02
2. Early treatment response evaluated by a clinical scoring system correlates with the prognosis of pulmonary tuberculosis patients in Ethiopia: A prospective follow-up study.
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Early treatment response evaluated by a clinical scoring system correlates with the prognosis of pulmonary tuberculosis patients in Ethiopia: A prospective follow-up study.
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2012 (English)In: Scandinavian journal of infectious diseases, ISSN 1651-1980, Vol. 44, no 11, p. 828-834Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

Background: In resource-limited settings the monitoring of tuberculosis (TB) patients is challenging, and early identification of TB patients with a high mortality risk is important. The aim of this study was to investigate prospectively whether early changes in a clinical scoring system (TB score) can predict treatment outcome in Ethiopian patients with pulmonary tuberculosis. Method: TB patients (n = 250) and blood donors (n = 82) were recruited prospectively at Gondar University Hospital, Ethiopia. Clinical scoring was performed using an interview-based questionnaire and clinical examination. Results: Among TB patients (53.6% of whom were HIV co-infected) the median TB score declined from week 0 to week 2 (8 (interquartile range (IQR) 6-9) vs 4 (IQR 2-6)) and dropped to a low level at week 8, which was still significantly higher than that found in blood donors (2 (IQR 1-4) vs 0 (IQR 0-1), p < 0.0001). Patients who died had a significantly higher TB score at week 0, week 2, and week 8 than survivors. Mortality was associated with a failure to achieve a decrease greater than 25% in the TB score at 2 weeks. Baseline CD4 + cell counts (< 200 cells/mm(3)) were associated with mortality but not with initial TB score results. Conclusions: The TB score was increased during the first 2 months of treatment among patients who died. Failure to achieve a greater than 25% decrease in TB score after 2 weeks of treatment was associated with increased mortality. Repeated clinical scoring during the intensive phase of TB treatment could be useful to identify high-risk patients.

National Category
Medical and Health Sciences
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:liu:diva-85315 (URN)10.3109/00365548.2012.694468 (DOI)000310008900004 ()22812387 (PubMedID)
Note

funding agencies|Swedish Heart and Lung Foundation||EU/EDCTP project|JP 2009.10800.006|Swedish heart and lung Foundation (King Oscar II Jubilee Foundation)||EU/EDCP|JP.10800.006|

Available from: 2012-11-15 Created: 2012-11-15 Last updated: 2013-05-02
3. The Impact of Asymptomatic Helminth Co-Infection in Patients with Newly Diagnosed Tuberculosis in North-West Ethiopia
Open this publication in new window or tab >>The Impact of Asymptomatic Helminth Co-Infection in Patients with Newly Diagnosed Tuberculosis in North-West Ethiopia
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2012 (English)In: PLOS ONE, E-ISSN 1932-6203, Vol. 7, no 8Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

Background: Areas endemic of helminth infection, tuberculosis (TB) and HIV are to a large extent overlapping. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of asymptomatic helminth infection on the immunological response among TB patients with and without HIV, their house hold contacts and community controls. less thanbrgreater than less thanbrgreater thanMethodology: Consecutive smear positive TB patients (n = 112), their household contacts (n = 71) and community controls (n = 112) were recruited in Gondar town, Ethiopia. Stool microscopy, HIV serology, serum IgE level, eosinophil and CD4 counts were performed and tuberculosis patients were followed up for 3 months after initiation of anti-TB treatment. less thanbrgreater than less thanbrgreater thanResults: Helminth co-infection rate was 29% in TB patients and 21% in both community control and household contacts (p = 0.3) where Ascaris lumbricoides was the most prevalent parasite. In TB patients the seroprevalence of HIV was 47% (53/112). Eosinophilia and elevated IgE level were significantly associated with asymptomatic helminth infection. During TB treatment, the worm infection rate of HIV+/TB patients declined from 31% (10/32) at week 0 to 9% (3/32) at week 2 of TB treatment, whereas HIV2/TB patients showed no change from baseline to week 2, 29% (13/45) vs. 22.2% (10/45). This trend was stable at week 8 and 12 as well. less thanbrgreater than less thanbrgreater thanConclusion: One third of smear positive TB patients were infected with helminths. Eosinophilia and elevated IgE level correlated with asymptomatic worm infection, indicating an effect on host immunity. The rate of worm infection declined during TB treatment in HIV+/TB co-infected patients whereas no decline was seen in HIV2/TB group.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Public Library of Science, 2012
National Category
Medical and Health Sciences
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:liu:diva-84349 (URN)10.1371/journal.pone.0042901 (DOI)000308206000014 ()
Note

Funding Agencies|Swedish Agency for Research Cooperation with Developing Countries||Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SAREC/SIDA)||European-Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership (EU/EDCTP)|JP 10800.006|Swedish Research Council||Swedish Heart and Lung Foundation (Oscar II Jubilee Foundation)||

Available from: 2012-10-05 Created: 2012-10-05 Last updated: 2021-06-14
4. Impact of helminth infection on the clinical presentation 1 of pulmonary tuberculosis
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Impact of helminth infection on the clinical presentation 1 of pulmonary tuberculosis
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2013 (English)Manuscript (preprint) (Other academic)
Abstract [en]

Background: The effects of helminth infection on chronic infectious diseases such as HIV and tuberculosis (TB) merit further characterization. Thus, we assessed the baseline clinical characteristics of helminth infection in patients with active TB in a high endemic area.

Methodology: Consecutive, newly diagnosed TB patients were recruited from three health institutions in the north Gondar administrative zone, Ethiopia. Structured questionnaires were used to collect socio-demographic and clinical characteristics. Additionally, the TB score, mid upper arm circumference, body mass index (BMI), BCG vaccination status, stool and sputum microscopy as well as HIV serology and CD4+T cells counts were evaluated.

Results: A total of 377 pulmonary TB patients were included in the study. The helminth co infection rate was 33% (123/377) and the most prevalent parasite was Ascaris lumbricoides (53%, 65/123). The HIV co-infection rate was 29% (110/377). Seventy percent (77/110) of the HIV co-infected patients were on anti- retroviral therapy at the time of TB diagnosis. Helminth infection was more prevalent in HIV-negative TB patients compared to HIV-positive TB patients (p=0.025). Smoking and walking bare foot were independently associated to helminth infection in TB patients after adjusting for the influence of HIV. Other than increased eosinophilia, no other significant differences were observed between helminth positive and helminth negative TB patients in the clinical presentation including the TB score, CD4+T-cells, BMI or bacterial load.

Conclusion: The clinical presentation of active pulmonary tuberculosis was not affected by helminth infection. Helminth infection was less frequent among HIV-positive TB patients and this finding merits further investigation.

Keywords
Tuberculosis, HIV, helminth, TB score, CD4, Ethiopia
National Category
Medical and Health Sciences
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:liu:diva-91825 (URN)
Available from: 2013-05-02 Created: 2013-05-02 Last updated: 2013-05-02Bibliographically approved
5. Effects of albendazole treatment on the clinical outcome and immunological responses in patients with helminth infection and pulmonary tuberculosis: a randomized clinical trial
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Effects of albendazole treatment on the clinical outcome and immunological responses in patients with helminth infection and pulmonary tuberculosis: a randomized clinical trial
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2013 (English)Manuscript (preprint) (Other academic)
Abstract [en]

Background: The impact of helminth infection on the host immune response to tuberculosis (TB) has been characterized in experimental models but less so in the clinical setting. The objective of this study was to investigate the impact of deworming on the clinical outcome and cell mediated immune response in active TB.

Methods: Newly diagnosed pulmonary TB patients in Gondar, Ethiopia were examined for helminth infection. Helminth-positive TB patients (W+/TB) were randomized to albendazole (400mg X III per os) or placebo. The primary outcome was change in TB-score after 2 months, and secondary outcomes were sputum smear conversion at the 2nd month, and changes in chest x-ray pattern, CD4+ T-cell count, eosinophil count, IgE-levels and immunological responses after 3 months. In a subset of W+/TB, W-/TB patients and healthy controls, flow cytometry and ELISPOT assays were used to characterize the regulatory T-cell population (Tregs) and the frequency of PPD- stimulated IFN-γ, IL-5 and IL-10 producing peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs).

Results: A total of 140 helminth co-infected TB patients were included with an HIV coinfection rate of 22.8 %. Following albendazole treatment of the W+/TB patients, there was a significant decrease in helminth infection compared to placebo (8% (4/49) vs. 48 % (22/46), p<0.001). No significant effect was observed for albendazole compared to placebo on the primary outcome as evaluated by the TB-score (5.6 ±2.87 vs. 5.87 ±2.54, p=0.59). Eosinophil counts decreased significantly in the albendazole group. In a subgroup analysis of helminthnegative patients following albendazole treatment versus placebo, the albendazole group showed a trend for lower levels of IL-10 producing cells at month three (p=0.08). At baseline, W+/TB patients had a significantly higher mean level of Tregs (% Tregs/CD4+) compared to W-/TB patients and helminth-positive community controls. Additionally, the frequency of IFN-γ, IL-5 and spontaneous IL-10 levels was increased in helminth-positive compared to helminth-negative TB patients.

Conclusions: No significant effects on the clinical outcome as measured with the TB-score was detected after albendazole treatment of helminth-positive TB patients compared to placebo. However, significant changes were observed in specific immunological responses such as reduced eosinophil counts and a trend towards lower levels of IL-10 producing cells. At baseline, helminth co-infected TB patients exhibited an increased Treg response as well as an increased IL-5 and spontaneous IL-10 production.

Keywords
Regulatory T-cells, helminth, tuberculosis, albendazole, deworming, Ethiopia, HIV
National Category
Medical and Health Sciences
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:liu:diva-91827 (URN)
Available from: 2013-05-02 Created: 2013-05-02 Last updated: 2013-05-02Bibliographically approved

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