Immunological and cytokine profile (IL-25 and IL-35) in patients with Entamoeba histolytica infection in Southern Iraq

Amoebiasis is an intestinal disease caused by a unicellular parasite called Entamoeba histolytica. Interleukin-35 (IL-35) is the most recent specific member in the IL-12 family, that plays a principal role in the inhibitory function of regulatory T cells (Tregs) to restrain inflammatory reactions. IL-25 from the IL-17 family, which is broadly released by Th2 cells and epithelial cells is a warning signal produced during cell or tissue injury for triggering immune cells. The present study was designed to determine the cytokine profile (IL-25 and IL-35) in patients with E. histolytica infection in Southern Iraq. This hospital-based study was carried out from August 2022 to May 2023. The study participants were patients suffering from E. histolytica infection referred to the Infectious Diseases Wards of the general hospitals in Thi-qar Province, Southern Iraq. At first, the E. histolytic amebiasis in patients was approved by the nested multiplex PCR. All collected sera were tested using the Human Interleukin 35 (Biotech, China, Cat.RD-IL35-Hu) and IL25 (Biotech, China, Cat.RD-IL25-Hu) ELISA Kits based on the producer’s instructions. A total of 80 patients including 50 patients with E. histolytica infection and 30 people in control group with no E. histolytica infection were included in the present study. The results showed a significant difference (p<0.001) in the serum level of IL-25 among patients with E. histolytica infection (4275.19 pg/mL) in comparison with people in the control group with no E. histolytica infection (2186 pg/mL). The statistical analysis showed that there is no significant difference in the serum level of IL-35 patients with E. histolytica infection in comparison with people in the control group with no E. histolytica infection. The findings of the present investigation revealed the high levels of IL-25 in patients with E. histolytica infection; indicating the important role of IL-25 in activating the immune system during intestinal inflammation. Therefore, this cytokine can be used as a diagnosis marker for E. histolytica infection.