Lymphocytic immuno-phenotype and expression of epidermal growth factor receptor in intestinal schistosomiasis

ABSTRACT

Schistosomiasis is an endemic disease in Egypt performing major health and subsequently economic problems. Schistosomiasis generates a range of host immune responses that may contribute to the pathogenesis of this disease. In this study immunologic response and reparative potentiality of intestinal mucosa following infection have been evaluated Fortey patients with manifestations of active intestinal schistosomiasis were selected by positive rectal snip for this study and compared to 10 negative control patients. sigmoidoscopic biopsies were obtained and conducted for histopathologic examination, immunohistochemistry study of CD4+, CD8+ and epidermal growth factor receptor [EGFr], and feulgen stain to evaluate DNA content of glandular epithelium, using CAS200 image analyzer system. All bilharzial biopsies demonstrated lymphocytic infiltration intermixed with eosinophils and bilharzial ovae were detected in 12 biopsies. Positive CD4+ lymphocytes were observed in 35 cases [88.2%] with focal or diffuse distribution [25 and 10 cases respectively]. Seven cases were CD8+ positive [17.5%]. In 18 biopsies [47%], epidermal growth factor receptor was expressed by glandular and brush border epithelium. These cases demonstrated proliferative diploid histogram represented S-phase pattern of DNA distribution. The EGFr expression was conelated well with presence of bilharzial ovae, ulcerated epithehum and positive CD4+ lymphocytes. In conclusion, the expression of EGEr is stimulated by antigenisity released from ovae and cytokines of the activated T cells, to participate in mucosal healing process through DNA synthesis and adaptation to the presence of infection