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Characteristics of SARS-CoV-2 and Opisthorchis viverrini coinfections: insights into immune responses and clinical outcomes.
- Source :
-
Parasitology research [Parasitol Res] 2024 Aug 09; Vol. 123 (8), pp. 297. Date of Electronic Publication: 2024 Aug 09. - Publication Year :
- 2024
-
Abstract
- The effects of co-infections with SARS-CoV-2 and parasitic diseases have been little investigated in terms of immune response, disease dynamics, and clinical outcomes. This study aimed to explore the impact of co-infection with Opisthorchis viverrini and SARS-CoV-2 on the immune response concerning clinical symptoms and the severity of pulmonary abnormalities. A cross-sectional study was conducted, including healthy participants as controls, participants with opisthorchiasis, SARS-CoV-2 infection, and a co-infection group with both diseases. Characteristics of SARS-CoV-2 infection were assessed based on clinical parameters and severity of pulmonary abnormalities, whereas opisthorchiasis burden was evaluated by eggs-per-gram (EPG) counts. Immune responses were assessed by measuring levels of interferon-γ (IFN-γ), SARS-CoV-2 anti-spike receptor binding domain (RBD) IgG, and neutralizing antibody against SARS-CoV-2. In the co-infected group, clinical parameters and hospitalization rates were lower than in the SARS-CoV-2 group. Pulmonary abnormalities, such as bronchial fibrosis, were commonly observed in the SARS-CoV-2 group, leading to hospitalization in some cases. Participants with opisthorchiasis had higher IFN-γ levels than healthy individuals. IFN-γ levels were significantly lower in the co-infection group compared with the SARS-CoV-2 group (P = 0.002). There was a significant (P = 0.044) positive correlation between RBD-specific IgG and percent neutralization levels in the SARS-CoV-2 group. Levels of both were somewhat lower (not statistically significant) in the co-infection group. A negative correlation was observed between opisthorchiasis burden (EPG counts) and IFN-γ and RBD-specific IgG levels in the co-infected group. Following vaccination, the increase in IgG levels against the RBD protein was significantly lower in the co-infected group than in the SARS-CoV-2 group. These results suggest that O. viverrini infection suppresses immune responses and may lead to a reduction in severity in cases of SARS-CoV-2 co-infection.<br /> (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)
- Subjects :
- Humans
Animals
Male
Female
Cross-Sectional Studies
Adult
Middle Aged
Interferon-gamma blood
Antibodies, Neutralizing blood
Immunoglobulin G blood
Aged
Antibodies, Viral blood
Antibodies, Helminth blood
COVID-19 immunology
COVID-19 complications
Opisthorchiasis immunology
Opisthorchiasis complications
Coinfection immunology
Coinfection parasitology
Opisthorchis immunology
SARS-CoV-2 immunology
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 1432-1955
- Volume :
- 123
- Issue :
- 8
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- Parasitology research
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 39120805
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-024-08317-8