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oai:figshare.com:article/34049209 2026-10-01T17:44:21Z category_7 category_8 category_21 category_39 category_46 category_64 category_132 category_134 portal_5 item_type_1 month_year_10_2026

<p>Parasitological methods.</p> Maximilian Augé Stock (25157980) Dearie Glory Okwu (18592296) Ayong More (18592293) Anna Doralt (25157983) Rodrigue Bikangui (5851262) Ismaël Pierrick Mikelet Boussoukou (25157986) Kirsten Alexandra Eberhardt (7339937) Maren Sandkuhl (25157989) Rella Zoleko Manego (9034322) Ghyslain Mombo-Ngoma (265164) Matthew McCall (3448769) Minka Breloer (78015) Meral Esen (211790) Marylyn Addo (722007) Bertrand Lell (224978) Luzia Veletzky (3831247) Rafiou Adamou (12419233) Maria Sophia Mackroth (3309018) Medicine Microbiology Biotechnology Ecology Immunology Cancer Infectious Diseases Virology subsequent analysis across rapid assessment procedure ogoou &# 233 ngouni &# 233 elevated regulatory cytokines broader immunological effects three groups confirmed specific igg responses loa loa </ infection influences antibody ifn -&# 947 occult participants (< microfilaremic individuals compared 2 </ p loa </ participants (< occult disease immunological assays p </ 192 participants microfilaremic compared γ responses xlink "> without evidence west africa viral antigens substantial morbidity study investigated skewed responses sectional study periurban villages nucleocapsid proteins latter defined including th2 immune modulation identified using findings suggest circulating microfilariae cell responses cell hyporesponsiveness assessed using 90 ). 59 ), <div> <p>Background</p><p>Loiasis is a chronic filarial infection endemic to Central and West Africa. Although long considered benign, increasing evidence links loiasis to substantial morbidity and mortality. The infection is associated with immune modulation, including Th2-skewed responses and elevated regulatory cytokines. Clinically, loiasis is classified as microfilaremic (presence of circulating microfilariae) or amicrofilaremic (“occult”) disease, the latter defined by a history of eyeworm migration without detectable microfilaremia. This study investigated how chronic <i>L. loa</i> infection influences antibody and T cell responses to SARS-CoV-2 following natural infection.</p> <p>Methods</p><p>Between 2022 and 2024, this cross-sectional study was done in rural and periurban villages of the Ngounié and Moyen-Ogooué provinces of Gabon. Study procedures included diagnostics for loiasis and immunological assays. Microfilaremia was confirmed by stained blood smear microscopy, and occult disease was identified using the Rapid Assessment Procedure for Loiasis. SARS-CoV-2-specific IgG responses to spike and nucleocapsid proteins were measured by ELISA, and IFN-γ responses to spike antigen were assessed using an interferon-gamma release assay.</p> <p>Results</p><p>Overall, 192 participants were categorized as microfilaremic (n = 43), occult loiasis (n = 59), or without evidence of active loiasis (n = 90). IFN-γ responses were reduced in microfilaremic individuals compared with other participants (<i>p</i> = 0.031), whereas IgG responses did not differ. Subsequent analysis across the three groups confirmed that IFN-γ responses were lower in microfilaremic compared with occult participants (<i>p</i> = 0.012).</p> <p>Conclusion</p><p>These findings suggest that microfilaremic loiasis may impair proinflammatory T cell responses to viral antigens, highlighting the need for further research into the broader immunological effects of <i>Loa loa</i> infection in endemic populations.</p></div> 2026-10-01T17:55:58Z Image Figure 10.1371/journal.pntd.0014104.s001 https://figshare.com/articles/figure/_p_Parasitological_methods_p_/34049209 CC BY 4.0