Interleukin-8, P-selectin and nutritional status in asymptomatic cryptosporidium infection among school children

Abstract EN

Background The host immune response to Cryptosporidium infection is mediated mainly by proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines (e.g., interleukin-8, IL-8) and adhesion molecules (e.g., P-selectin). Methods : in the present study, serum levels of IL-8 and P-select in were measured and nutritional status was assessed in 19 Cryptosporidium infected school children and 10 age and sex matched healthy controls.

All participating children were asymptomatic. Results: Although underweight, stunting and wasting were more common among Cryptosporidium infected children, the differences were not statistically significant.

Results showed that Cryptosporidium infected children had significantly lower IL-8 and significantly higher P-select in serum levels compared to healthy control children Conclusion: it was concluded that asymptomatic.

Cryptosporidium infection in school children may not be consistently associated with malnutrition.

Decreased secretion of IL-8 increases the susceptibility to Cryptosporidium infection.

On the other hand, host response to Cryptosporidium infection involves increased expression of P-selectin in order to recruit immune effector cells to the site of infection.