Leucocytes and Th-associated cytokine profile of HIV-leishmaniasis coinfected patients attending the Abuja Teaching Hospital, Nigeria

Abstract

Introduction. T helper cells (Th)-1 and -2 cytokines homeostasis control or predict clinical outcome of infected persons, especially those with HIV/AIDS. This case-control study evaluated the leucocyte differentials, TNF-α, IL-2 and -10 levels, among HIV-infected persons with serological evidence of leishmaniasis attending the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, Nigeria. Material and Methods. This study involved blood samples from 28 HIV-infectedwith Leishmania donovani rK39 and IgG positive (group 1), 30 age- and sex-matched HIV-infected individuals without Leishmania antibodies (group 2) and 30 apparently healthy persons without HIV and Leishmania antibodies (group 3). Full blood counts, TNF-α, IL-2 and IL-10 levels were analysed using an automated haematology analyser and ELISA, respectively. Structured questionnaires were used to collate biochemical and clinical data from participants. Results. Ten (35.7%) participants in group 1 were on ART, 15 (50%) in group 2 were on ART, while group 3 were ART naïve. There were significantly higher values in basophil (4.4 ± 2.5%) and eosinophil counts (12.9 ± 3.8%) in HIV/Leishmania coinfected persons (p˂0.005), whereas other white cell subpopulations were significantly lower in the HIV/Leishmania coinfected participants (p˂0.05). There were significantly reduced CD4+ T cell counts (119 ± 26 vs 348 ± 63 vs 605 ± 116 cells/mm3), TNF-α (36.82 ± 8.21 vs 64.67 ± 12.54 vs 254.98 ± 65.59 pg/mL) and IL-2 levels (142.14 ± 20.91 vs 507.6 ± 84.42 vs 486.62 ± 167.87 pg/mL) among HIV/Leishmania coinfected participants compared to group 2 and group 3 participants, respectively. However, higher IL-10 levels (80.35 ± 14.57 pg/mL) were detected in HIV/Leishmania coinfected participants compared to the HIV mono-infected (62.2 ± 10.43 pg/mL) and apparently healthy persons (23.97 ± 4.88 pg/mL; p˂0.001). Conclusion. Eosinophil and basophil counts, and serum IL-10 level were high in HIV/Leishmania coinfected patients demonstrating parasite-induced hypersensitivity and immunosuppression.