Article Figures & Data
Figures
- Fig 1
IFN-γ levels in plasma after stimulation of whole-blood cells with SLA. (A) Comparison of unstimulated baseline concentration of IFN-γ (IU/ml) in different groups of subjects. (B) Comparison of SLA-stimulated IFN-γ release (unstimulated value subtracted) for different subject groups. Each symbol represents the value for an individual. The bars represent the median values for the groups. The dotted line represents the cutoff (0.78 IU/ml) for positivity by ROC. Statistically significantly different median values for the groups are indicated by bars and asterisks (∗∗, P < 0.01; ∗∗∗, P < 0.001; ns, not significant).
- Fig 2
Human IgG response to Phlebotomus argentipes saliva. (A) Levels of IFN-γ released by whole-blood cells following stimulation with SLA (background values subtracted) in the samples selected from the groups shown in Fig. 1 and used for the anti-saliva antibody determinations. (B) Anti-saliva antibody levels of NEHC (n = 13), EHC IGRA-negative (IGRA -ve) (n = 21), EHC IGRA-positive (IGRA +ve) (n = 35), and active VL (n = 24) groups. The bars represent the median values, and the dotted line indicates the cutoff (0.74 OD) for positivity. Sera were preadsorbed against Phlebotomus papatasi saliva and processed for antibodies to P. argentipes saliva by a modified ELISA. Statistically significantly different median values for the groups are indicated by bars and asterisks (∗, P < 0.05; ∗∗∗, P < 0.001; ns, not significant).
- Fig 3
TNF-α levels in plasma after stimulation of whole-blood cells with SLA. (A) Comparison of unstimulated baseline concentration of TNF-α (pg/ml) in different subject groups. (B) Comparison of SLA-stimulated TNF-α release (unstimulated value subtracted) for different subject groups. The bars represent the median values. Statistically significantly different median values for the groups are indicated by bars and asterisks (∗, P < 0.05; ∗∗, P < 0.01; ns, not significant).
- Fig 4
IL-10 levels in plasma after stimulation of whole-blood cells with SLA. (A) Comparison of unstimulated baseline concentration of IL-10 (pg/ml) in different subject groups. (B) Comparison of SLA-stimulated IL-10 release (unstimulated value subtracted) for different subject groups. The bars represent the median values. Statistically significantly different median values for the groups are indicated by bars and asterisks (∗∗, P < 0.01; ∗∗∗, P < 0.001).
- Fig 5
IL-10 neutralization enhances IFN-γ secretion by whole-blood cells from VL patients. Monoclonal antibodies (20 μg/ml) against human IL-10 or control IgG was added to the whole-blood cells, either alone or with SLA (5 μg/ml) at the start of the cultures. IFN-γ concentrations (pg/ml) in plasma after 24 h are shown. The bars represent the mean concentrations for the different groups; differences between treatment groups were compared by the Wilcoxon signed rank test for paired samples.
Tables
- Table 1
Demographic characteristics for subjects in the different groups in this study
Groupa No. of subjects Age (yr) (mean ± SD) No. of males No. of females NEHC 52 32.2 ± 11.4 31 21 EHC 147 25.8 ± 11.3 61 86 Active VL 35 21.9 ± 8.2 12 23 Cured VL 54 26.5 ± 13.5 30 24 DD 27 27.5 ± 10.6 19 8 ↵a The groups were as follows: subjects who lived in areas where visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is not endemic (NEHC [for nonendemic healthy control] group), subjects who lived in areas where VL is endemic (EHC [for endemic healthy control] group); groups of subjects with active VL or cured VL; and the group of subjects with different diseases (DD).
- Table 2
Positive and negative agreement indices between cellular immunity and serology in 147 healthy controls from areas where VL is endemic
Tests compared Positive AIa (%) 95% confidence interval Negative AI (%) 95% confidence interval Adjusted kappa QuantiFERON vs rK39 ELISA 30.51 0.1521–0.4580 82.55 0.7729–0.8781 0.4422 QuantiFERON vs DAT 40.00 0.2362–0.5638 86.19 0.8153–0.9086 0.5510 DAT vs rK39 ELISA 59.09 0.4185–0.7634 92.80 0.8948–0.9642 0.7551 ↵a AI, agreement index.
