Evaluating the clinical effect of interleukin-10 polymorphism on Egyptian children infected with chronic amoebiasis

Background: Since intestinal inflammation associated with chronic amoebiasis is regulated by are hypothesized to influence disease severity. Objective: To investigate the potential link between IL-10-1082G/A gene polymorphism and diversity of clinical pediatric chronic amoebiasis. Subjects and Methods: This case-control study included 100 selected children with chronic amoebiasis clinically complaining of chronic intermittent diarrhea (lasting > four weeks) alternating sometimes with constipation, and 100 healthy controls. Infected children were selected according to their routine investigations that included stool analysis, and bacterial culture-sensitivity method. Cases negative for bacterial infections, and positive for Entamoeba cysts were subjected to ELISA assay for detection of fecal E. histolytica adhesion antigen. Identification of polymorphism was performed using PCR amplification followed by restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP). The potential link of Il-10 polymorphism was assessed by correlating the detected genotype with diarrhea grading, weight, and cyst counts. Results: A significant association (P<0.005) was recorded between IL-10 polymorphism and disease severity, weight, and cyst count. The G allele was associated with mild symptoms (47.1%; OR=3.8), normal weight (57.1%; OR=2.7), and high cyst count (50.7%; OR=3.5). In contrast, severe symptoms (43.4%; OR=2.7) and underweight (35%; OR=2.8), were independently associated with A allele. Conclusion: These findings highlight the potential role of IL-10 gene polymorphism in influencing the clinical course of pediatric chronic amoebiasis. Further research should explore IL-10 levels and treatment outcomes to enhance our understanding of this potential link.