Abstract 176: Interleukin 17 A, Hepatosplenic Mansonic Schistosomiasis and Atherosclerosis

Abstract

Introduction: The immune system plays an important role in the pathophysiology of schistosomiasis and atherosclerosis due to its activation of various immune cells and release of different inflammatory mediators. However, the pathologies of these diseases are not fully understood. The main aim of this study was to detect atherosclerotic disease in patients with mansonic schistosomiasis, while the secondary objectives were evaluate the serum concentrations of interleukin 17A (IL 17 A) and 22 (IL 22). Hypothesis: Atherosclerosis is not common in patients with mansonic schistosomiasis. Methods: This study included 30 patients (14 men, 16 women; mean age = 59.87 ± 7.50 years) with hepatosplenic mansonic schistosomiasis that agreed to participate in the study by signing the Free and Informed Consent Form. Ten healthy volunteers (four men, six women) were selected as controls for interleukin concentrations. Atherosclerosis was evaluated by measuring the carotid artery intima-media thickness (IMT ≥1.5 mm are indicative of atherosclerotic plaques). Shapiro-Wilk test was necessary to determine whether the variables followed a normal distribution. The continuous variables were evaluated using student’s t test. P value ≤ 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The main clinical characteristics of the patients were as follows: benign arrhythmias, 19 patients (63%); hypertension, 17 (56%); smoking, 12 (40%); hepatitis B or C, nine (30%); peripheral vascular insufficiency, nine (30%); family history of CAD, nine (30%); diabetes mellitus, one (3.3%); leukemia, one (3.3%); and non-cardiac surgery, 24 (80%). There were no differences in the IL 17 A concentrations (15.63 ± 0.00 pg/ml vs 15.63 ± 0.00 pg/ml, p = 1) and in the IL 22 concentrations (7.81 ± 0.00 pg/ml vs 7. 81 ± 0.00 pg/ml, p = 1) between patients and controls. The overall mean of the intimal medial thickness was 0.7 ± 0.2 mm Conclusions: None of patients had atheroma. The serum concentrations of IL 17A and IL 22 were equal between patients and controls (concentrations undetectable or low). It is possible that the immune response of patients with hepatosplenic mansonic schistosomiasis may attenuate the development of atherosclerosis.