Filarial nematodes modulate the host immune response to promote regulatory and T helper type 2 immune responses, which were shown to influence concomitant infections. Indeed, several studies showed that increased susceptibility and worsened disease course of HIV, tuberculosis (TB) and malaria in filarial endemic regions. Moreover, the investigators demonstrated that M. perstans infections polarize and suppress immune responses with likely consequences for concomitant infections and vaccine-induced protection. In addition, the investigators observed altered frequencies of natural killer and regulatory T and B cells in filarial and M. tuberculosis co-infected individuals and that M. perstans influences CD4+ T cell function and immune responses upon purified protein derivative antigen stimulation. Nevertheless, the consequences of manifestation of TB disease and influence on TB vaccination remains unknown. Thus, the trial aim to address two main questions with high clinical relevance: 1) Does filarial infection influence disease severity and recovery in tuberculosis patients? 2) Does filarial infection influence Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG)-induced protection against disease progression in vaccinated children?
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
2,500
National clinics in Cameroon will initiate TB treatment according to national guidelines upon positive TB diagnosis
University of Buea
Buea, Cameroon
RECRUITINGInfluence of filariae infection on TB disease outcome and BCG vaccination
Does filarial infection influence tuberculosis disease severity and recovery under treatment and influence Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG)-induced protection against disease progression Parasitological diagnosis: * Blood smear for microfilaria detection using microscopy * DNA isolation from urine, blood and stool for helminth detection using LAMP and PCR technology * Helminth egg detection in urine and stool using Kato Katz technique * Skin snip for detection of Onchocerca volvulus infection TB diagnosis: * Chest radiography * Sputum smear and culture * GeneXpert * TST Test * Physical examination * Questionnaires to obtain medical, TB contact and treatment history
Time frame: 3 years
Biomarkers for TB severity and BCG vaccination
Decipher biomarker for TB disease severity and recovery under treatment and for prediction of BCG vaccine induced immune protection against development of TB Laboratory assessment: \- CFP10/ESAT6 in vitro and TB-TAM assay from peripheral whole blood using flow cytometry technology
Time frame: 3 years
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