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. 2022 May 6:13:887213.
doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.887213. eCollection 2022.

Potential Utility of Systemic Plasma Biomarkers for Evaluation of Pediatric Schistosomiasis in Western Kenya

Bartholomew N Ondigo  1 , Rachael E Hamilton  2   3 , Edwin O Magomere  1 , Isaac O Onkanga  4 , Pauline N Mwinzi  5 , Maurice R Odiere  4 , Lisa Ganley-Leal  3
Affiliations

Potential Utility of Systemic Plasma Biomarkers for Evaluation of Pediatric Schistosomiasis in Western Kenya

Bartholomew N Ondigo et al. Front Immunol. .

Abstract

Introduction: Current diagnostic tools for schistosomiasis are limited, and new tests are necessary to enhance disease diagnosis and surveillance. Identification of novel disease-specific biomarkers may facilitate the development of such tests. We evaluated a panel of biomarkers used in sepsis and parasitic diseases for their potential suitability in the diagnosis of schistosomiasis.

Objective: The study evaluated the levels of systemic plasma biomarkers in relation to Schistosoma mansoni infection and parasite burden.

Methods: Six biomarkers were measured in the plasma of children from schistosomiasis-endemic regions using ELISA. The concentration of soluble CD23 (sCD23) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was tested in 199 and 124 plasma samples, respectively, while interleukin-6 (IL-6), soluble triggering receptor expressed on myeloid (sTREM) cells, eotaxin-1, and fatty acid-binding protein (FABP) concentrations were tested in 30 plasma samples.

Results: The concentration of IL-6, eotaxin-1, FABP, and LPS was similar between schistosome-infected and uninfected children. The schistosome-infected children had higher median levels of sTREM and sCD23 as compared to uninfected children, 119.0 (29.9-208.9) versus 10.7 (0.0-73.4) (p = 0.046) and 2,549.0 (1,899.0-3,356.0) vs. 2,035.0 (1,448.0-2,939.0) (p = 0.05), respectively. In addition, sTREM was positively correlated with egg density (p = 0.017).

Conclusion: Our data show that active schistosomiasis per se is associated with elevated levels of sTREM and sCD23. sTREM has potential diagnostic and prognostic values. However, these biomarkers did not distinguish between children with low egg burden and uninfected children.

Keywords: biomarkers; diagnosis; infection; intensity; schistosomiasis.

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Conflict of interest statement

Authors RH and LG-L was employed by company Elegance Biotechnologies. The remaining authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Comparison of biomarker plasma concentration in infection groups. Groups were categorized based on the egg counts into low (1–99 EPG), moderate (100–399 EPG), and heavy (≥400 EPG). EPG, eggs per gram. *** (Moderatly significant, p < 0.0008); **** (Highly significant level p<00001). ns, not significant.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Correlation between sTREM and other biomarkers in children in western Kenya. Data plotted are those with corresponding values (n = 36) for each of the biomarkers. sTREM, soluble triggering receptor expressed on myeloid.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Correlation between biomarker concentration and eggs per gram (EPG) among infected children.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Correlation of biomarker concentration and hemoglobin (g/dl) levels among study participants.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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