Modulation of Mycobacterium tuberculosis-specific humoral immune responses is associated with Strongyloides stercoralis co-infection

Background / objectives: helminth infections are known to influence t cell responses in latent tuberculosis (ltbi). whether helminth infections also modulate b cell responses in helminth-tuberculosis co-infection is not known. methods: we assessed mycobacterium tuberculosis (mtb)–antigen specific igm and igg levels,circulating levels of the b cell growth factors,baff and april and the absolute numbers of the various b cell subsets in individuals with ltbi,ltbi with coincident strongyloides stercoralis (ss) infection (ltbi/ss) and in those with ss infection alone (ss). we also measured the above-mentioned parameters in the ltbi-ss group after anthelmintic therapy. results: our data reveal that ltbi-ss exhibit significantly diminished levels of mtb-specific igm and igg,baff and april levels in comparison to those with ltbi. similarly,those with ltbi-ss had significantly diminished numbers of all b cell subsets (naïve,immature,classical memory,activated memory,atypical memory and plasma cells) compared to those with ltbi. there was a positive correlation between mtb—antigen specific igm and igg levels and baff and april levels that were in turn related to the numbers of activated memory b cells,atypical memory b cells and plasma cells. finally,anthelmintic treatment resulted in significantly increased levels of mtb—antigen specific igm and igg levels and the numbers of each of the b cell subsets. conclusions: our data,therefore,reveal that ss infection is associated with significant modulation of mtb-specific antibody responses,the levels of b cell growth factors and the numbers of b cells (and their component subsets). © 2017 public library of science. all rights reserved.