Post-Natal Cytokine Levels of Neonates of Seropositive Mothers: An Indication of Vertical Transmission?

Abstract

Studies have implicated increased plasma levels of TNF-α in clinical malaria and vertical transmission of HIV. The intricate imbalances in cytokines levels threaten successful pregnancies. In this study, pregnant women were polled-stratified for interview and subsequently enrolled in a longitudinal study for eighteen months in the endemic area of Saki. Spot Blood samples (2 mL) were collected for laboratory diagnosis of HIV and Malaria at delivery and post natal. The plasma concentration of cytokines: TNF-α, IL-2, IL-10 and IFN-γ was determined by cytokine ELISA techniques. Forty-five (30.2%) of pregnant women were sero-positive with 63.3% in babies. The co-infection rate was 22.8 % in pregnant women and 26.3% in babies. The levels of TNF-α was high (30.0 × 10 -3 pg/µL) in non-infected babies at delivery whereas IL-2, IL-10 and IFN-γ peaked at (70 10 -3 pg/µL, 40× 10 -3 pg/µL) and 16.0 × 10 -3 pg/µL respectively in uninfected babies. At delivery, the levels of TNF-α, IL-2, IL-10 and IFN-γ was 18.3 × 10 -3 pg/µL, 69.8 × 10 -3 pg/µL, 41.0 × 10 -3 pg/µL and rise to 28.3 × 10 -3 pg/µL in co-infected babies. The level of IL-10 was highest in co-infected babies at the second month post-delivery. Also, there was a progressive increase in the level of IFN-γ at the third month among the un-infected, coinfected and seropositive babies. The parasite density in co-infected babies in the first three months and the plasma levels of IFN-γ and TNF-α could be an indication of vertical transmission of both HIV and P. falciparum.