Delayed-type hypersensitivity to sand fly saliva in humans from a leishmaniasis-endemic area of Mali is Th1-mediated and persists to midlife.

ABSTRACT: Immunity to sand fly saliva in rodents induces a T(H)1 delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) response conferring protection against leishmaniasis. The relevance of DTH to sand fly bites in humans living in a leishmaniasis-endemic area remains unknown. Here, we describe the duration and nature of DTH to sand fly saliva in humans from an endemic area of Mali. DTH was assessed at 24, 48, 72, and 96 hours post bite in volunteers exposed to colony-bred sand flies. Dermal biopsies were obtained 48 hours post bite; cytokines were quantified from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) stimulated with sand fly saliva in vitro. A DTH response to bites was observed in 75% of individuals aged 1-15 years, decreasing gradually to 48% by age 45, and dropping to 21% thereafter. Dermal biopsies were domi

SUBMITTER: Oliveira F 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3529997 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature