Leucocytes and Th-associated cytokine profile of HIV-leishmaniasis co-infected persons attending Abuja Teaching Hospital, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: T-helper cells (Th)-1 & -2 cytokines homeostasis control or predict clinical outcome of infected persons, especially those with HIV/AIDS. This case-control study evaluated the white blood cell differetials, TNF-alpha, interleukin (IL)-2 and -10 levels among HIV infected persons with serological evidence of leishmnaiasis attending University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, Nigeria. Methods & Materials: After ethical approval, blood samples from 28 HIV infected persons (with skin disfiguration and high fever >10 days) whom were anti-leishmania IgG seropositive (group 1), 30 age- & -sex matched HIV infected persons whom were anti-leishmania IgG seronegative (group 2) and 30 apparently healthy persons without HIV and anti-leishmania IgG seronegative (group 3) within 1st July and 30th September, 2017. Full blood counts, TNF alpha, IL-2 and -10 levels were analyzed using automated hematology analyser and Enzyme linked Immunosorbent Assay, respectively. Structured questionnaires were used to collate biodata and clinical presentations of 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). However, other white cells subpopulation were significantly lower in HIV/leishmania co-infected participants (p< 0.05). There was significantly reduced CD4+ T cell counts ([119 ± 26 versus 348 ± 63 versus 605 ± 116 cells/mm3]), TNF-alpha ([36.82 ± 8.21 versus 64.67 ± 12.54 versus 254.98 ± 65.59 pg/mL]) and IL-2 levels ([142.14 ± 20.91 versus 507.6 ± 84.42versus 486.62 ± 167.87 pg/mL]) among HIV/leishmania co-infected participants compared to group 2 and group 3 participants, respectively. However, higher IL-10 level (80.35 ± 14.57 pg/mL) was found in HIV/leishmania co-infected participants as opposed 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, basophil counts and serum IL-10 level were high in HIV/leishmania coinfected persons, suggesting parasite-induced hypersesnsitivity and pro-inflammatory reaction.