Journal of Parasite Research

Journal of parasite research

Journal of Parasite Research

Current Issue Volume No: 1 Issue No: 1

Research Article Open Access Available online freely Peer Reviewed Citation

Cytokines Level (Il8 and Il17) in Pregnant Women with Toxoplasmosis in Khartoum State

Wahaj M. M 1,   Satti, A. B 2,   Abdalla H.S 3,   Ahmed S. Kabbashi 4  

1Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Shendi University , Sudan.

2Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Omdurman Islamic University

3Department of Parasitology, Faculty of veterinary, U.K

4Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medical Laboratory Sciences, International University of Africa, Sudan.

Abstract

Toxoplasmosis is one of the most important zoonotic diseases worldwide caused by Toxoplasma gondii that leads to abortion or hydrocephalus during pregnancy. It’s a comparative cross-sectional one designed to assess immunoglobulins and cytokines in pregnant women. A total of 300 venous blood samples were collected from each pregnant woman and centrifuged to obtain serum. Patient’s information was recorded in a questionnaire previously designed for the purpose of analysis. In addition, 40 uninfected women were enrolled in the study as control group to assess the level of IL8 and IL17 cytokines. The overall seropositive rate of Toxoplasma gondii infection was 22.6%. Within the positive cases of study population, only 16 and 13 showed positive results of IL8, IL17 respectively. The results showed highly significant increase in the mean serum level of IL8 (210.25pg/ml) and IL17 (203.15 pg/ml) when compared to the control group who showed 68.9 pg/ml and 54.8 pg/ml respectively. The serum level of proinflammatory cytokines investigated in this study seems to be increased in patients with serological evidence of Toxoplasma gondii infection. Our study concludes that IL-17 and IL-8 involved in the induction of inflammation and toxoplasmosis disease.

Author Contributions
Received 13 Jul 2019; Accepted 27 Jul 2019; Published 31 Jul 2019;

Academic Editor: Aditya Gupta, Department of Natural Sciences, Sant Baba Bhag Singh University, Jalandhar, Punjab-144030 India.

Checked for plagiarism: Yes

Review by: Single-blind

Copyright ©  2019 Wahaj M. M, et al.

License
Creative Commons License     This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.

Competing interests

The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Citation:

Wahaj M. M, Satti, A. B, Abdalla H.S, Ahmed S. Kabbashi (2019) Cytokines Level (Il8 and Il17) in Pregnant Women with Toxoplasmosis in Khartoum State. Journal of parasite research - 1(1):8-12. https://doi.org/10.14302/issn.2690-6759.jpar-19-2971

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DOI 10.14302/issn.2690-6759.jpar-19-2971

Introduction

Toxoplasmosis is a widespread parasitic zoonosis that caused by Toxoplasma gondii and occurs throughout the world. It can infect almost all the warm blooded animals, including human beings1. Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate intracellular protozoan parasite that can infect an extremely wide host range, from birds to mammals, including humans. The disease is of economic significance with regard to animal production, and it has become a public health concern since it leads to abortions and neonatal complications in humans. The definitive host for T. gondii is cat and the intermediate hosts are mammals and birds. The infection is acquired mainly by eating food or drinking water contaminated with oocysts or tissue cysts of T. gondii2. Toxoplasmosis is the most common infections associated with unfavorable outcome of pregnancy3.

This parasite can survive in all nucleated cells, including blood cells in acute stage, forms a specific vacuole that protect the parasite from host cell immune system. In the chronic stage, the parasite can form a cyst in the central nervous system, skeletal muscle and eye tissue and can exist for the lifetime of its host. The cysts can rupture and release highly invasive trophozoite, which may cause a recurrent infection and potentially fatal if the host is in a state of immune deficiency4. Primary maternal T. gondii infection through pregnancy is regularly associated with its transmission to the fetus7. The transmission rate of maternal infection to the fetus is estimated to be about 45%; of these, 60% are sub-clinical infections, 9% resulting in death of the fetus and 30% have severe damages such as hydrocephalus, intracerebral calcification, chorioretinitis and mental retardation5.

Women who have acquisate T. gondii infection during pregnancy are treated with spiramycin to avoid transmission of T. gondii from the placenta to the fetus and with sulfadiazine and pyrimethamine to prevent fetal grievance if the fetus is found to be infected6. Successful pregnancy may dependon the bias of the immune response of mother shifting away from Th-1 type response towards a Th-2 phenotype, both in murine model and human7. Normal pregnancy was accompanied by a reduction in Th-1 productive capacity together with an rising in Th-2 production, most markedly in the third trimester, The cause of repeated pregnancy loss (three or more successive spontaneous miscarriages) are unsolved in the majority of women and it is thought that anomalies in the immune system may have a role in idiopathic recurrent abortion. Cellular immune effector mechanisms have been suggested as being responsible for at least a percentage of repeated spontaneous abortion (RSA). Cytokines are important mediators in the bi-directional interaction between the maternal immune system and the reproductive system during pregnancy9,10. Interleukin-8 (IL-8) and interleukin-17 (IL-17) are pro-inflammatory cytokines produced by several tissues upon the inducement of a number of factors, among which are membrane LPS from gram negative bacteria, Viruses and several cytokines, their action is directed towards either myeloid or non-myeloid cellular targets11. Interleukin 8 (IL-8) is a chemokine produced by macrophages and other cell types such as epithelial cells. It is also synthesized by endothelial cells, which store IL-8 in their storage vesicles. IL-8, also known as neutrophil chemotactic factor, has two primary functions. It induces chemotaxis in target cells, primarily neutrophil but also other granulocytes, causing them to migrate toward the site of infection. Endometrium also produces IL-8 that is abortogenic. Mast cells are essential for inflammation by liberating several multifunctional cytokines including IL-816.If a pregnant mother has high levels of interleukin-8, there is an increased risk of schizophrenia in her offspring11.

The aims of this study were: 1-to assess seroprevalences (IgG and IgM) of T. gondii in women repeated spontaneous abortion and to find out if there is any significant relationship between this infection and repeated spontaneous abortion. 2-To determine the role of IL-8 and IL-17 in the immuno-regulatory pathways involved in repeated spontaneous abortion in women with or without toxoplasmosis.

The aims of this study were: 1-to assess seroprevalences (IgG and IgM) of T. gondii in pregnant women 2-To determine the role of IL-8 and IL-17 in the immuno-regulatory pathways involved in in pregnant women with or without toxoplasmosis.

Material and Method

A comparative cross-sectional study conducted during the period of November 2016 – June 2017 in ante natal care unit of Omdurman friendship hospital. The study aimed to to assess seroprevalences (IgG and IgM) of T. gondii and determine the role of IL-8 and IL-17 in the immuno-regulatory pathways involved in pregnant women with or without toxoplasmosis. After obtaining the informed consent socio-demographic data (age, residency) and, history of miscarriage were collected by using questionnaire. Then venous blood samples were collected in plain vacutainers and allowed to clot. Then sera were collected in Eppendorf tubes and stored at -20˚C and used for ELISA test to measure (IgG, IgM, Il8 and Il17) after completion of the study period. Very briefly, 50µl of diluted serum sample loaded to the antigen-coated well without touching the wall. Then incubated for 30minutes and washed thereafter by using washing buffer. Then 50µl of horseradish peroxidase-labelled anti-IgG enzyme added to the wells. Coloring solution added and finally the absorbance read at 450nm using Microtiter Plate Reader.

Statistical Analysis

Data were entered into computer using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20 and doubled check. Data was analyzed to determine the biological importance (p≤0.05) of cytokine level.

Results

Sociodemographic Data

A total of 300 pregnant women were enrolled in this study with mean (SD) age of 30.28(6.4) years and 40 non infected pregnant women were enrolled as control group. Previous miscarriage was reported in 186(62%).

Screening Results

Out of 300 pregnant women screened for anti T.gondii antibodies by using ELISA, 65(21.6%) and 4(1.3%) had seropositive T.gondii IgG and IgM, respectively Table 1.

The Rate of Cytokines Profile (IL8 and IL17) in Pregnant Women who had Toxoplasmosis

Within the 65 positive cases of ELISA IgG, 16 (24.6%) and 13 (20%) were had high level of IL8 and IL17 respectively, (P value=0.00) significant. The result showed no high level of IL8 and IL 17(0%) within the 3 positive cases of ELISA IgM. Table 1.

Table 1. The rate of cytokines profile (IL8 and IL17) in pregnant women who had toxoplasmosis.
Type of immunoglobulin Positive cases IL8 positive IL17 positive
IgG 65 16(24.6%) 13(20%)
IgM 3 0(0%) 0(0%)
Total 68 16 13

Comparison of Mean Level of Cytokines (IL8, IL17) in Pregnant Women and Non-Infected Pregnant Women Control

In non-infected pregnant women controls, the mean IL8 serum concentration was 68.9pg\ml while in the pregnant it reaches 210.25 pg\ml. This showed statistical difference (p.value=0.00).Also, in non-infected pregnant women controls, the mean IL17 serum concentration was 54.8pg\ml while in the pregnant it reaches 203.15 pg\ml. This showed statistical difference (p.value=0.00) Table 2.

Table 2. Comparison of mean level of cytokines (IL8, IL17) in pregnant women and non-infected pregnant women controls.
Interleukin Number examined Positive number IgM/IgG Mean of interleukin Mean of control p. value
In pregnant
IL8 300 27 16 210.25 68.9 0
IL17 300 24 13 203.15 54.8 0

Discussion

Toxoplasmosis is widely spreading around the world affecting human and animal12. Serum testing is still used for diagnosis of toxoplasmosis with IgG antibodies that indicate latent or chronic infection and IgM indicate recent or active infection.

Using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) technique the prevalence in this study was 22.6%. Several studies were done over the world using ELISA IgG, Some showed a high prevalence rate than the results obtained for example in Turkey 77% was recorded 13.And in Togo 75% were reported by14. Also the results obtained by 15. Showed that the prevalence was 38.9% by ELISA IgG in Khartoum state; also 16 was found 73.1% by using ELISA IgG in rural areas in Sudan. It may also disagree with result obtained in 17 who showed that the prevalence using ELISA was 35.1% positive IgG antibodies to T. gondii in Sudanese pregnant women. The result however, agreed with 18 who showed that 20.2% of pregnant women were positive for IgG. The role of toxoplasmosis in women with history of miscarriage is still unsettled, Previous miscarriage was reported in 186(62%).

Increased level of IL-8 correlates with early acute inflammation or with a reactive form of toxoplasmosis. IL-8 is responsible for activation and recirculation of neutrophils and neutrophils can phagocytose and kill or inhibit tachyzoites of T. gondii and showed that human intestinal epithelial cells infected with T.gondii elicit rapid secretion of IL-8 19 so it has an important role in innate immunity in response to Toxoplasma.

In this study, a high significant increase in the mean serum level of IL-8 level in pregnant women with serological evidence of with T.gondii (210.25 pg/ml) was statistically significantly higher than in non-infected pregnant control women. (68.9 pg/ml p.value =0.00). In this report, the mean level of IL-8 in pregnant women with serological evidence of T.gondii infection was higher than other groups. The significance of this finding for the outcome of the pregnancy remains uncertain. Pregnant women produced an endocervical cytokines response that was 2-fold higher than that produced by non-pregnant women, also the proinflammatory cytokines milieu in the cervix is enhanced in pregnant women with bacterial vaginosis compared with that in non-pregnant women 20. The present study showed a highly significant increase in the mean serum level of IL-17 in patients with IgM\IgG seropositivity (203.15pg/ml) when compared with serum levels in non-infected pregnant control group (54.8 pg/ml). The early increase in serum level of IL-17 in the present study match the results of several researchers 21 who found that an early increase in IL-17 had been reported in early stage of infection. Also one found that IL-17 was involved in the development and early recruitment of neutrophils, which are essential to clear the parasites during initial stages of infection22.

Conclusion

Th17 cells play avital role in the induction of inflammation23. Our study concludes that IL-17 and IL-8 involved in the induction of inflammation.

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  1. 1.Baqer Noor Nihad, Saheb Entsar Jabbar, Ahmed Najwa Shihab, 2021, Genetic polymorphism of IL-17A (rs2275913) in Iraqi women with recurrent abortion and its relationship with susceptibility to toxoplasmosis, Meta Gene, 29(), 100939, 10.1016/j.mgene.2021.100939
  1. 2.Santos Priscilla Vilela dos, Toledo Débora Nonato Miranda de, de Souza Débora Maria Soares, Menezes Tatiana Prata, Perucci Luiza Oliveira, et al, 2023, The imbalance in the relationship between inflammatory and regulatory cytokines during gestational toxoplasmosis can be harmful to fetuses: A systematic review, Frontiers in Immunology, 14(), 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1074760
  1. 3.Jafari Mohammad Mahdi, Azimzadeh Tabrizi Zahra, Dayer Mohammad Saaid, Kazemi-Sefat Nazanin Atieh, Mohtashamifard Mahshid, et al, 2023, Immune system roles in pathogenesis, prognosis, control, and treatment of Toxoplasma gondii infection, International Immunopharmacology, 124(), 110872, 10.1016/j.intimp.2023.110872
  1. 4.Evangelista Fernanda Ferreira, Nishi Leticia, Colli Cristiane Maria, Sant'Ana Priscila de Laet, Higa Lourenço T., et al, 2021, Increased levels of IL-17A in serum and amniotic fluid of pregnant women with acute toxoplasmosis, Acta Tropica, 222(), 106019, 10.1016/j.actatropica.2021.106019
  1. 5.Nejabat Maryam, Heydari Mohammadreza, Motamedifar Mohammad, Foroozanfar Zohre, Fard Saeid Amirizadeh, et al, 2024, Association of polymorphism of IL‐17A, IL‐17F, and IL‐6 with Toxoplasma gondii infection susceptibility in HIV/AIDS patients in Shiraz, southern Iran, Immunity, Inflammation and Disease, 12(1), 10.1002/iid3.1117