Plasma IL-33 levels and immune activation in HIV-TB coinfection: a cross-sectional study in Yaoundé, Cameroon

• Published in: The Pan African medical journal 2023-09, Vol.46, p.13-13
• Main Authors: Ghislain, René, Mbe, Rostand Munkam, Ngogang, Marie Paule, Ekono, Claire Bitchong, Ngo, Valentina Josiane, Seni, Nassif, Nguwoh, Philippe Salomon, Ateba, Pulchérie Thérèse, Kamdem, Severin Donald, Nono, Justin Komguep, Ambomo, Myriam Sylvie, Okomo, Marie Claire, Mbopi-Kéou, François Xavier
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 1937-8688; 1937-8688
• DOI: 10.11604/pamj.2023.46.13.41152

IntroductionHIV-1 and Mtb are characterized by immune activation and unbalances production of cytokines, but the expression of IL33 in HIV/TB coinfection remain understudied. This study aimed to evaluate the level of IL-33 in plasma of HIV and M. tuberculosis (HIV/TB) coinfected patients compared to patients with respective mono infections in Yaoundé.Methodsa cross-sectional study was conducted among patients attending the pneumology service and HIV treatment center of the Yaoundé Jamot Hospital. Plasma samples of 157 HIV/TB coinfected patients (n =26, 50% males and 50% females, mean age 39), HIV-1 monoinfected patients (n = 41, 41% males and 59% females, mean age 35), TB monoinfected patients (n = 48, 56% males and 44% females, mean age 37) and healthy controls (n = 42, 29% males and 71% females, mean age 32) were examined by enzyme-linked immunoassay (ELISA) to detect the levels of IL-33 cytokine.Resultsplasma level of IL-33 were higher in HIV/TB coinfected (33.1±30.9 pg/ml) and TB monoinfected individuals (15.1±2.9 pg/ml) compared to healthy controls (14.0±3.4 pg/ml) and could not be detected in most of the HIV-1 monoinfected individuals (12.6±8.7 pg/ml). Interestingly, the increased plasma level of IL-33 in HIV/TB coinfected patients showed a statistically significant difference between healthy controls (33.1±30.9 pg/ml vs 14.0±3.4 pg/ml, P