Molecular detection of TNF-α and IL-4 in helminthic and protozoan infected patients in relation to COVID-19 vaccines efficacy in Assiut, Egypt | ||||
| Parasitologists United Journal | ||||
| Article 5, Volume 17, Issue 3, December 2024, Page 183-188 PDF (431.47 K) | ||||
| Document Type: Original Article | ||||
| DOI: 10.21608/puj.2024.311275.1262 | ||||
 View on SCiNiTO | ||||
| Authors | ||||
| Reham Mohamed1; Ahmed Dyab* 2; Abeer Mahmoud1; Mervat Khalifa3 | ||||
| 1Departments of Medical Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Assuit | ||||
| 2Departments of Medical Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Assuit1 and New Valley2 Universities, Assuit and New Valley, Egypt | ||||
| 3Departments of Medical Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Assuit1 | ||||
| Abstract | ||||
| Background: Newly designed COVID-19 vaccines were approved and administrated worldwide. However, the interaction between parasitic infections and COVID-19 vaccines and their efficacy is still obscure. Objective: To correlate cytokines (TNF-α and IL-4) levels with COVID-19 vaccine administration in patients with concomitant parasitic infections. A secondary objective is to assess the impact of parasitic infections on COVID-19 efficacy. Subjects and Methods: The study included 128 patients divided into 2 groups according to an answered questionnaire, and routine laboratory investigations (stool, urine and blood film examination). Both groups included vaccinated (received full doses of COVID-19 vaccine within 6 months of sample collection), and non-vaccinated. A third matching group was recruited as control apparently health participants, i.e., neither parasitic infected nor received COVID-19 vaccines. Molecular detection of cytokines (TNF-α, and IL-4) gene expression was performed for all study samples using real-time PCR. Results: In comparison to the control group, there was up-regulation of TNF-α in patients with parasitic infection, whether vaccinated or not. According to parasitism, IL-4 showed different gene expression. In case of helminthic infections, it was up regulated in non-vaccinated patients, and down regulated in vaccinated patients. Meanwhile, it was down regulated in patients with protozoal infections whether vaccinated or not. Conclusion: COVID-19 vaccinated patients with concomitant helminthic infections are susceptible to reduced vaccine efficacy. Generally speaking, parasitism however, could provoke cytokine storm syndrome. | ||||
| Keywords | ||||
| COVID-19 vaccine; cytokines; helminths; protozoa | ||||
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