{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2025,12,11]],"date-time":"2025-12-11T21:06:51Z","timestamp":1765487211932,"version":"3.41.0"},"reference-count":33,"publisher":"Public Library of Science (PLoS)","issue":"6","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2025,6,17]],"date-time":"2025-06-17T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1750118400000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"http:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"content-domain":{"domain":["www.plosntds.org"],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["PLoS Negl Trop Dis"],"abstract":"<jats:sec id=\"sec022\">\n<jats:title>Background<\/jats:title>\n<jats:p>Schistosomiasis, a Neglected Tropical Disease (NTD), remains a significant public health issue, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. Despite various interventions, the disease persists, with a considerable burden on affected populations. This study aimed to characterize the hematological and immunological profiles associated with Schistosoma infection in pediatric and adult populations in Mulobezi district of Zambia.<\/jats:p>\n<\/jats:sec>\n<jats:sec id=\"sec023\">\n<jats:title>Methods<\/jats:title>\n<jats:p>This was a cross-sectional study, which included participants aged 5\u201355 years, carried out in Mulobezi District in the Western Province of Zambia. The sample size was 143, participants were stratified into children (&lt;15 years) and adults (\u226515 years). Schistosomiasis diagnosis was confirmed through urine microscopy using filtration methods, while full blood count and cytokine (IL-4, IL-10) analysis were performed on blood samples. A Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify factors independently associated with infection. Statistical analyses were conducted using two-sided tests to assess the significance of the observed differences between groups.<\/jats:p>\n<\/jats:sec>\n<jats:sec id=\"sec024\">\n<jats:title>Results<\/jats:title>\n<jats:p>Out of the 143 participants, 56 (39.2%) had schistosomiasis. In adjusted models, IL-4 showed age-dependent associations: significant in adults (AOR: 1.007, 95% CI: 1.003-1.012, p\u2009=\u20090.001) but not children (AOR: 1.001, 95% CI: 0.999-1.003, p\u2009=\u20090.072). Lymphocyte counts were elevated in both children (AOR: 1.94, 95% CI: 1.07-3.54, p\u2009=\u20090.029) and adults (AOR: 2.96, 95% CI: 1.19-7.36, p\u2009=\u20090.020). Eosinophils (children: AOR: 13.94, 95% CI: 0.24-811.21, p\u2009=\u20090.204; adults: AOR: 12.27, 95% CI: 0.73-207.13, p\u2009=\u20090.082) and IL-10 lost significance after adjustment.<\/jats:p>\n<\/jats:sec>\n<jats:sec id=\"sec025\">\n<jats:title>Conclusion<\/jats:title>\n<jats:p>This study highlights IL-4 and lymphocyte counts as potential immunomarkers for schistosomiasis infection. The age-specific IL-4 association suggests differential immune activation patterns, while persistent lymphocyte elevation across both groups indicates sustained adaptive immune engagement.<\/jats:p>\n<\/jats:sec>","DOI":"10.1371\/journal.pntd.0013176","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2025,6,17]],"date-time":"2025-06-17T17:40:38Z","timestamp":1750182038000},"page":"e0013176","update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1371\/journal.pntd.corrections_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":1,"title":["Expression of interleukin-4 in schistosomiasis is influenced by age"],"prefix":"10.1371","volume":"19","author":[{"given":"Tresford","family":"Lwanga","sequence":"first","affiliation":[],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Lweendo","family":"Muchaili","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Gift 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