The evaluation of non-specific cellular immunological parameters amongst children with Schistosoma haematobium infection in Nigeria

This study used the leucocyte migration index to assess cellular immune function in children with urinary schistosomiasis. Migration inhibitory factor was produced (with other lymphokines) by sensitizing mitogens. The production of antigen-induced migration inhibitory factor in vitro correlated with the in vivo state of cellular hypersensitivity of the lymphocyte donor. The percentage positive leucocyte migration rate using three mitogens was least with inactivated measles haemagglutinin virus (IMV) and highest with Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) in the control group, while highest with tuberculin purified protein derivative (PPD) and least with IMV in the test group. The measurement of the migration index of leucocytes comparing the control with lightly- and heavily-infected children on activation using three mitogens was significantly reduced, except in the case of the control versus lightly-infected children using IMV. Using IMV, the leucocyte migration index for control versus lightly-infected children and heavily-infected children was significant (p > 0.002 and p < 0.001, respectively). Using BCG the difference between controls and lightly- and heavily-infected children were significant (p < 0.02). PPD showed no significant difference in leucocyte migration between control and the lightly- or heavily-infected children. In all leucocyte migration index decreased with intensity of infection except in the case of PPD (p < 0.002 for BCG; p < 0.001 for the IMV). There was a significant correlation between egg count and leucocyte migration index; for BCG (r = -0.20, p < 0.005); for IMV (r = -0.3, p < 0.001); for PPD (r = -0.38, p < 0.001). Patients with schistosomiasis infection can express normal and effective cellular immune responses to non-schistosomal antigens and also have equal immunological ability to combat pathogens as S. haematobium-free controls.