Mohamed, R., Dyab, A., Mahmoud, A., Khalifa, M. (2024). 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, 17(3), 183-188. doi: 10.21608/puj.2024.311275.1262
Reham Mohamed; Ahmed Dyab; Abeer Mahmoud; Mervat Khalifa. "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, 17, 3, 2024, 183-188. doi: 10.21608/puj.2024.311275.1262
Mohamed, R., Dyab, A., Mahmoud, A., Khalifa, M. (2024). '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, 17(3), pp. 183-188. doi: 10.21608/puj.2024.311275.1262
Mohamed, R., Dyab, A., Mahmoud, A., Khalifa, M. 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, 2024; 17(3): 183-188. doi: 10.21608/puj.2024.311275.1262
Molecular detection of TNF-α and IL-4 in helminthic and protozoan infected patients in relation to COVID-19 vaccines efficacy in Assiut, Egypt
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.
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