In support of these findings, anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra) was negatively associated with chronic scarring trachoma (r = -0.249, P = 0.001).
Additional cytokines (Th1, IL-12p40 [r = -0.212, P<0.01], and Th2, IL-4 and IL-13 [r = -0.165 and -0.189, respectively, P<0.05 for both]) were negatively associated with chronic scarring trachoma, suggesting a protective role.
Chemokine protein levels for CCL11 (Eotaxin), CXCL8 (IL-8), CXCL9 (MIG), and CCL2 (MCP-1) were elevated in chronic scarring trachoma compared with age and sex matched controls (P<0.05, for all).
Our quantitative detection of previously uncharacterized and partially characterized cytokines, a soluble cytokine receptor, and chemokines for each trachoma grade and associations with C. trachomatis infections provide, to date, the most comprehensive immunologic evaluation of trachoma.
New risk factors for chronic scarring trachoma included IL-6 and IL-15 (r = 0.259 and 0.292, respectively, P<0.005 for both) with increased levels for concurrent C. trachomatis infections (r = 0.206, P<0.05, and r = 0.304, P<0.005, respectively).
Additional cytokines (Th1, IL-12p40 [r = -0.212, P<0.01], and Th2, IL-4 and IL-13 [r = -0.165 and -0.189, respectively, P<0.05 for both]) were negatively associated with chronic scarring trachoma, suggesting a protective role.
Additional cytokines (Th1, IL-12p40 [r = -0.212, P<0.01], and Th2, IL-4 and IL-13 [r = -0.165 and -0.189, respectively, P<0.05 for both]) were negatively associated with chronic scarring trachoma, suggesting a protective role.
In support of these findings, anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra) was negatively associated with chronic scarring trachoma (r = -0.249, P = 0.001).
Our quantitative detection of previously uncharacterized and partially characterized cytokines, a soluble cytokine receptor, and chemokines for each trachoma grade and associations with C. trachomatis infections provide, to date, the most comprehensive immunologic evaluation of trachoma.
New risk factors for chronic scarring trachoma included IL-6 and IL-15 (r = 0.259 and 0.292, respectively, P<0.005 for both) with increased levels for concurrent C. trachomatis infections (r = 0.206, P<0.05, and r = 0.304, P<0.005, respectively).
To test this hypothesis, the genome of an oculotropic trachoma isolate (A/HAR-13) was sequenced and compared to the genome of a genitotropic (D/UW-3) isolate.
Fifty Omanis with blinding trachoma were serologically typed for HLA A, B, C, DR, and DQ antigens and DNA typed for class II DR beta and DQ beta alleles and compared with a population of 100 healthy controls.
An 820 bp AccI-PstI fragment of the 60 kDa cysteine rich outer membrane protein (CrP) gene from C. trachomatis serovar L1 was used as a probe to locate the 60 kDa CrP gene of a recent serovar B trachoma isolate (Jali 20/OT).