Interleukin-10 and tumour necrosis factor alpha promoter region polymorphisms and susceptibility to urogenital schistosomiasis in young Zimbabwean children living in Schistosoma haematobium endemic regions.

Amos Marume,Takafira Mduluza,Jaclyn Mann,Arthur Vengesai

doi:10.4102/sajid.v35i1.11

Abstract

BackgroundHost genetic factors can influence susceptibility, morbidity and mortality from schistosomiasis. The study explored the association between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in interleukin-10 (IL-10) and tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) promoter regions and susceptibility to Schistosoma haematobium infection.MethodsUrine specimens were collected from 361 primary school children aged 5–15 years from schistosomiasis endemic areas of Manicaland and Mashonaland central provinces. Schistosoma haematobium was diagnosed using the urine filtration method. Only 272 participants provided adequate blood for genotyping. Genotyping was performed using the amplification refractory mutation system-polymerase chain reaction. The association between IL-10 and TNF-α SNPs and S. haematobium infection was analysed using the chi-square test.ResultsSchistosoma haematobium infection was confirmed in 26.8% of the participants. No significant difference in S. haematobium prevalence between men (51.6% of those infected) and women (48.4%) (χ2 = 0.008, df = 1, p = 0.928) was observed. The total IL-10 -1082 G, IL-10 -819 C and TNF-α -308G allele distribution between S. haematobium infected and uninfected participants was 50.7% and 51.5% (χ2 = 0.025, df = 1, p = 0.87), 54.3% and 60.6% (χ2 = 1.187, df = 1, p = 0.187) and 82.1% and 80.9% (χ2 = 0.099, df = 1, p = 0.753), respectively, and the differences were not significant.ConclusionInterleukin-10 -1082 G/A, IL-10 -819 C/T and TNF-α -308 G/A SNPs were not significantly associated with susceptibility to S. haematobium infection. The prevalence of schistosomiasis is still in the moderate range and is similar in boys and girls.

Highlights

Children in sub-Saharan Africa have endured many public health threats that significantly alter their prospects, health and socio-economic development
No significant difference was observed between the prevalence of men infected with S. haematobium (51.6%) and that of women infected with S. haematobium (48.4%, χ2 = 0.008, df = 1, p = 0.928)
This study investigated the prevalence of schistosomiasis in known endemic areas of Manicaland and Mashonaland central provinces in rural Zimbabwe

Summary

Introduction

Children in sub-Saharan Africa have endured many public health threats that significantly alter their prospects, health and socio-economic development. One of these main health threats, as listed by the World Health Organization (WHO), is schistosomiasis, which is caused by Schistosoma haematobium (urogenital) or Schistosoma mansoni (intestinal). These helminthic infections affect more than 200 million people worldwide and 800 million people are at risk in 76 endemic countries, leading to annual losses ranging from 1.7 to 4.5 million disability-adjusted life years.[1,2] Some countries have made significant strides in controlling schistosomiasis (Morocco and some Caribbean countries including Sint Maarten, Saint Kitts and Vieques) and a few others have eliminated it (Japan and Tunisia).[3] Schistosomiasis is ranked ninth as one of the most reported outpatient illnesses in Zimbabwe. The study explored the association between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in interleukin-10 (IL-10) and tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) promoter regions and susceptibility to Schistosoma haematobium infection

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion