Immunomodulatory impression of anti and pro-inflammatory cytokines in relation to humoral immunity in human scabies

Abstract

The chief manifestations of scabies are mediated through hypersensitivity-like reactions and immune responses which are so far not well understood and remain poorly characterized. The aim of this study is to investigate the role of inflammatory cytokines in relation to humoral immunity in patients with scabies. Serum levels of total IgE, specific IgG, IL-10, IL-6, INF-γ, and TNF-α were investigated in a cross-sectional study including 37 patients with manifestations suggestive of scabies and serologically positive for anti-Sarcoptes IgG, in addition to 20 healthy controls. The median value of total IgE was 209 (range, 17-1219 IU/mL), reflecting its wide range within cases. IL-10 showed significant higher levels (287 ±: 139) in cases than in controls (17.4 ± 11.32). A positive correlation was reported between total IgE and severity of manifestations (r = 0.429, P <0.005). A significant positive correlation was observed between total IgE and both IgG and IL-6. On the contrary, a negative correlation was recorded between IL-6 and TNF-α which makes us suggested anti-inflammatory rather than pro-inflammatory effect of IL-6. Moreover, a negative correlation was noticed between the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 and severity of manifestations, specific IgG, total IgE, and INF-γ. Therefore, the current study theorized a regulatory role of IL-10 in inflammatory responses of scabietic patients suggesting further future analysis of its therapeutic potential.

Increased risk of psoriasis following scabies infection: A nationwide population‐based matched‐cohort study

“…These important findings regarding inflammatory cytokines are summarized in Table . Similarly, immune‐mediated inflammatory processes after a S. scabiei exposure have also been previously reported . It seems that elevated levels of IL‐2, IL‐4, IL‐6, IL‐17 and IFN‐γ have been demonstrated in both scabies and psoriasis in most previous studies (Table ).…”

“…Similarly, immune-mediated inflammatory processes after a S. scabiei exposure have also been previously reported. 6,[37][38][39][40] It seems that elevated levels of IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-17 and IFN-c have been demonstrated in both scabies and psoriasis in most previous studies ( Table 5). Specifically, a Th17 cell-mediated inflammatory pathway with production of IL-17 plays an important role in human immunopathology.…”

Host immune responses to the itch mite, Sarcoptes scabiei, in humans

“…Increased γδ + T cells, eosinophilia [ 24 , 88 ] Th1/Th2 responses Th1 mediated with increased production of Th1 cytokines IFN-γ, IL-2 and TNF-α [ 35 , 46 , 51 ]. Increased production of IL-10 [ 51 ] Th2 mediated with increased production of Th2 cytokines IL-4, IL-5 and IL-13 [ 14 , 35 , 46 ]. Increased production of Th17 cytokines IL-17, IL −23 [ 46 , 88 ].…”

“…These cells are associated with pro-inflammatory and allergic responses, parasitic infections and possibly humoral responses. IL-4, IL-13, TNF and IFN-γ play a role in alternative macrophage activation [ 50 ] and these cytokines have been reported in immune response to scabies [ 24 , 35 , 46 , 51 ]. Macrophages, although in low numbers, have been detected in skin of patients with scabies [ 24 ] and cellular infiltrates of skin lesions in dogs infested with scabies mites [ 52 , 53 ].…”

“…In humans, earlier studies have shown that scabies results in an increased production of circulating IgE antibodies but with highly divergent results [ 14 , 63 , 78 , 79 ]. In recent studies, increased total IgE levels have been observed in OS patients [ 24 , 51 ]. In a more recent study, ELISA analysis revealed only 2% of 91 cases with OS had circulating IgE antibodies that bound to S. scabiei var.…”