Distinct loiasis infection states and associated clinical and hematological manifestations in patients from Gabon

TY - JOUR

T1 - Distinct loiasis infection states and associated clinical and hematological manifestations in patients from Gabon

AU - Veletzky, Luzia

AU - Eberhardt, Kirsten Alexandra

AU - Hergeth, Jennifer

AU - Stelzl, Daniel Robert

AU - Zoleko Manego, Rella

AU - Mombo-Ngoma, Ghyslain

AU - Kreuzmair, Ruth

AU - Burger, Gerrit

AU - Adegnika, Ayôla Akim

AU - Agnandji, Selidji Todagbe

AU - Matsiegui, Pierre Blaise

AU - Boussinesq, Michel

AU - Mordmüller, Benjamin

AU - Ramharter, Michael

PY - 2022/9

Y1 - 2022/9

N2 - BACKGROUND: Loiasis-a filarial disease endemic in Central and West Africa-is increasingly recognized as significant individual and public health concern. While the understanding of the disease characteristics remains limited, significant morbidity and excess mortality have been demonstrated. Here, we characterize clinical and hematological findings in a large cohort from Gabon.METHODS: Loiasis-related clinical manifestations and microfilaremia, hemoglobin and differential blood counts were recorded prospectively during a cross-sectional survey. For analysis, participants were categorized into distinct infection states by the diagnostic criteria of eye worm history and microfilaremia.RESULTS: Analysis of data from 1,232 individuals showed that occurrence of clinical and hematological findings differed significantly between the infection states. Eye worm positivity was associated with a wide range of clinical manifestations while microfilaremia by itself was not. Loa loa infection was associated with presence of eosinophilia and absolute eosinophil counts were associated with extent of microfilaremia (p-adj. = 0.012, ß-estimate:0.17[0.04-0.31]).CONCLUSIONS: Loiasis is a complex disease, causing different disease manifestations in patients from endemic regions. The consequences for the affected individuals or populations as well as the pathophysiological consequences of correlating eosinophilia are largely unknown. High-quality research on loiasis should be fostered to improve patient care and understanding of the disease.

AB - BACKGROUND: Loiasis-a filarial disease endemic in Central and West Africa-is increasingly recognized as significant individual and public health concern. While the understanding of the disease characteristics remains limited, significant morbidity and excess mortality have been demonstrated. Here, we characterize clinical and hematological findings in a large cohort from Gabon.METHODS: Loiasis-related clinical manifestations and microfilaremia, hemoglobin and differential blood counts were recorded prospectively during a cross-sectional survey. For analysis, participants were categorized into distinct infection states by the diagnostic criteria of eye worm history and microfilaremia.RESULTS: Analysis of data from 1,232 individuals showed that occurrence of clinical and hematological findings differed significantly between the infection states. Eye worm positivity was associated with a wide range of clinical manifestations while microfilaremia by itself was not. Loa loa infection was associated with presence of eosinophilia and absolute eosinophil counts were associated with extent of microfilaremia (p-adj. = 0.012, ß-estimate:0.17[0.04-0.31]).CONCLUSIONS: Loiasis is a complex disease, causing different disease manifestations in patients from endemic regions. The consequences for the affected individuals or populations as well as the pathophysiological consequences of correlating eosinophilia are largely unknown. High-quality research on loiasis should be fostered to improve patient care and understanding of the disease.

KW - Animals

KW - Cross-Sectional Studies

KW - Gabon/epidemiology

KW - Loa

KW - Loiasis/diagnosis

KW - Morbidity

U2 - 10.1371/journal.pntd.0010793

DO - 10.1371/journal.pntd.0010793

M3 - SCORING: Journal article

C2 - 36121900

VL - 16

JO - PLOS NEGLECT TROP D

JF - PLOS NEGLECT TROP D

SN - 1935-2735

IS - 9

M1 - e0010793

ER -