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March 26, 2025 article Open access Aachen paper

Helminth driven gut inflammation and microbial translocation associate with altered vaccine responses in rural Uganda

npj Vaccines, vol. 10, pp. 56

DOI: 10.1038/s41541-025-01116-x Full text (OA) OpenAlex

Abstract

Vaccine responses are sometimes impaired in rural, low-income settings. Helminth-associated gut barrier dysfunction and microbial translocation (MT) may be implicated. We used samples from a trial of praziquantel treatment-effects on vaccine responses in Schistosoma mansoni (Sm)-endemic Ugandan islands, measuring intestinal fatty acid-binding protein 2 (I-FABP2), lipopolysaccharide-binding protein, anti-endotoxin core antibodies (EndoCab), soluble CD14 (sCD14) in plasma, and faecal lipocalin-2, occult blood (FOB), and calprotectin (fCAL), and evaluating their associations with baseline helminth infection, praziquantel treatment, and responses to BCG, yellow fever, typhoid, HPV, and tetanus-diphtheria vaccines. Sm associated positively with fCAL and FOB, hookworm with I-FABP2, and any helminth with EndoCab IgM, fCAL and FOB. Sm associated inversely with sCD14. Praziquantel treatment reduced all marker concentrations, significantly fCAL and FOB, implying that Sm-associated gut inflammation and MT is reversible. Associations of assessed markers with vaccine-specific responses were predominantly inverse. Interventions to improve gut barrier function may enhance vaccine responsiveness.

Authors 10

  1. Jacent Nassuuna

    MRC/UVRI & LSHTM Uganda Research Unit · Uganda Virus Research Institute

    Affiliation as printed

    Immunomodulation and Vaccines Focus Area, Vaccine Research Theme, MRC/UVRI and LSHTM Uganda Research Unit, Entebbe, Uganda

  2. Joas Sterk

    University of Glasgow

    Affiliation as printed

    University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK

  3. Bridgious Walusimbi

    London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine · MRC/UVRI & LSHTM Uganda Research Unit · Uganda Virus Research Institute

    Affiliation as printed

    Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK

    Immunomodulation and Vaccines Focus Area, Vaccine Research Theme, MRC/UVRI and LSHTM Uganda Research Unit, Entebbe, Uganda

  4. Agnes Natukunda

    London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine · MRC/UVRI & LSHTM Uganda Research Unit · Uganda Virus Research Institute

    Affiliation as printed

    Immunomodulation and Vaccines Focus Area, Vaccine Research Theme, MRC/UVRI and LSHTM Uganda Research Unit, Entebbe, Uganda

    International Statistics and Epidemiology Group, Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK

  5. Ronald Nkangi Aachen

    Leiden University · Leiden University Medical Center · MRC/UVRI & LSHTM Uganda Research Unit · Uganda Virus Research Institute

    Affiliation as printed

    Immunomodulation and Vaccines Focus Area, Vaccine Research Theme, MRC/UVRI and LSHTM Uganda Research Unit, Entebbe, Uganda

    Leiden University Center for Infectious Diseases (LU-CID), Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands

  6. Rebecca Amongin

    MRC/UVRI & LSHTM Uganda Research Unit · Uganda Virus Research Institute

    Affiliation as printed

    Immunomodulation and Vaccines Focus Area, Vaccine Research Theme, MRC/UVRI and LSHTM Uganda Research Unit, Entebbe, Uganda

  7. Ludoviko Zirimenya

    London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine · MRC/UVRI & LSHTM Uganda Research Unit · Uganda Virus Research Institute

    Affiliation as printed

    Department of Clinical Research, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK

    Immunomodulation and Vaccines Focus Area, Vaccine Research Theme, MRC/UVRI and LSHTM Uganda Research Unit, Entebbe, Uganda

  8. Emily L. Webb

    London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine · MRC/UVRI & LSHTM Uganda Research Unit · Uganda Virus Research Institute

    Affiliation as printed

    Immunomodulation and Vaccines Focus Area, Vaccine Research Theme, MRC/UVRI and LSHTM Uganda Research Unit, Entebbe, Uganda

    International Statistics and Epidemiology Group, Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK

  9. Alison M. Elliott

    London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine · MRC/UVRI & LSHTM Uganda Research Unit · Uganda Virus Research Institute

    Affiliation as printed

    Department of Clinical Research, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK

    Immunomodulation and Vaccines Focus Area, Vaccine Research Theme, MRC/UVRI and LSHTM Uganda Research Unit, Entebbe, Uganda

  10. Gyaviira Nkurunungi corresponding

    London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine · MRC/UVRI & LSHTM Uganda Research Unit · Uganda Virus Research Institute

    Affiliation as printed

    Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK. Gyaviira.Nkurunungi@mrcuganda.org

    Immunomodulation and Vaccines Focus Area, Vaccine Research Theme, MRC/UVRI and LSHTM Uganda Research Unit, Entebbe, Uganda. Gyaviira.Nkurunungi@mrcuganda.org

    Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK

    Immunomodulation and Vaccines Focus Area, Vaccine Research Theme, MRC/UVRI and LSHTM Uganda Research Unit, Entebbe, Uganda

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References 71