Association between the IL13 rs1800925 (-1112C/T) polymorphism and Schistosoma mansoni infection intensity in a population from western Côte d’Ivoire

Abstract

Intestinal schistosomiasis remains a major public health concern in sub-Saharan Africa. Interindividual variation in infection intensity suggests that host genetic factors, particularly the IL13 rs1800925 (-1112C/T) polymorphism, may influence the Th2 immune response to Schistosoma mansoni. This study aimed to investigate the association of this polymorphism with susceptibility to S. mansoni infection and infection intensity in a population from western Côte d’Ivoire. A case-control study was conducted among individuals living in an endemic area. Genotyping of the IL13 −1112C/T (rs1800925) polymorphism was performed using the amplification refractory mutation system-polymerase chain reaction (ARMS-PCR). Associations between the polymorphism and both susceptibility to infection and infection intensity were assessed using logistic regression analysis. No significant association was observed between the IL13 rs1800925 polymorphism and susceptibility to S. mansoni infection. However, the CT genotype and carriage of the T allele were significantly associated with a reduced risk of high-intensity infection. In addition, children younger than 15 years were at a significantly higher risk of developing heavy-intensity infections. The IL13 rs1800925 polymorphism does not appear to influence susceptibility to S. mansoni infection but may contribute to the regulation of parasite burden. These findings highlight the importance of host immunogenetic factors in modulating infection intensity and warrant further large-scale functional studies to clarify the role of this polymorphism in the immune response to intestinal schistosomiasis.