Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells of Mycetoma Patients React Differently to Madurella mycetomatis Antigens than Healthy Endemic Controls

Ehab A M Elagab,Ahmed H Fahal,Wendy W J Van De Sande,Maowia M Mukhtar,Joseph M Vinetz

doi:10.1371/journal.pntd.0002081

Ehab A M Elagab, Ahmed H Fahal + Show 3 more

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https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0002081

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Abstract

Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells of Mycetoma Patients React Differently to Madurella mycetomatis Antigens than Healthy Endemic Controls

Highlights

There has been limited data on immune response toward mycetoma infection
From mouse models it was evident that mycetoma only occurred when M. mycetomatis was inoculated with an adjuvant, both predisposing toward a Th2 response [4,5]
When Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells (PBMCs) from actinomycetoma patients were stimulated with antigens from Nocardia brasiliensis, a Th2-type cytokine profile was detected [8]

Summary

Introduction

There has been limited data on immune response toward mycetoma infection. The only data available were derived from animal models and actinomycetoma patients. Based on antibody measurements in earlier studies, it was demonstrated that most people living in mycetoma-endemic areas are exposed to the causative agent, only a few developed mycetoma [2,3]. The answer to these questions could lie in the different reactions toward M. mycetomatis by the immune system between individuals who develop mycetoma and individuals who do not.

Results

Conclusion