Innate immune response in Plasmodium coinfection with HBV and HCV using complement C3, C4, and CD4+ T cells

Abstract

Study backgroundComplement, CD4+ T cells, and antibodies are immune materials for protection or are expressed for the detection of pathogens. Complements are activated by the classical or alternative pathway complement to cause cell death.Aim and objectiveThis study was designed to evaluate the innate immune response in Plasmodium coinfection with hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) using complement C3, C4, and CD4+ T cells to provide information for useful directions in the management of malaria and hepatitis B and C.Materials and methodsThe participants recruited for this study include controls who were neither infected with Plasmodium nor hepatitis B and C (n = 50) and Plasmodium-infected participants (n = 50) and hepatitis C-infected participants (n = 30) and hepatitis B-infected participants (n = 30) and Plasmodium coinfected with hepatitis B participants (n = 30) and Plasmodium coinfected with hepatitis C participants (n = 30) aged 19–65 years. Complement C3, C4, CD4+ T cells HCV and HBV were determined in each of the participant by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method. Identification of Plasmodium was carried out using the thick and thin film technique using Giemsa and Leishman staining, while test and controls with elevated and normal total bile acids, respectively, were negative to HIV and acid fast bacilli tests were included.ResultsThe results obtained in this study showed a significant decrease in plasma complement C3 in patients with monoinfection of Plasmodium, HCV, HBV, and Plasmodium patients coinfected with HCV and HBV compared with the control (P < 0.005). There was also a significant decrease in plasma complement C4 in Plasmodium patients coinfected with HCV and HBV compared with the control (P < 0.005). The results obtained in Plasmodium patients coinfected with HBV and HCV, and HBV patients coinfected with HCV showed a significant decrease in CD4+ T cells compared with the results obtained in the control (P < 0.005). There was significantly lower plasma complements C3, C4, and blood CD4+ T cells in Plasmodium monoinfected patients than in HBV or HCV monoinfected patients (P < 0.005). There was also a significantly lower plasma complement C4 and CD4+ T cells in Plasmodium patients coinfected with HBV or HCV than patients who were monoinfected with HCV and HBV (P < 0.005).ConclusionThere was significant alterations in the blood complement C3, C4, and CD4+ T cells in response to Plasmodium, HBV, HCV mono- and coinfection which was more influenced by Plasmodium infection.