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T-Cell Interferon Gamma Responses to SARS-CoV-2 Following Infection with/Without Vaccination in a Tanzanian Population

Article scientifique 2025 Anglais

Résumé

Background: T-cell responses are crucial in SARS-CoV-2 immune-control; however, limited data exist from African populations. We assessed interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) release by T cells among Tanzanian adults (18-70 years) previously infected with or without SARS-CoV-2 vaccination, using the ELISpot assay. We also characterized background plasma IFN-γ levels in this population. Methods: Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from 143 individuals, sampled 1-12 months post SARS-CoV-2 exposure, were stimulated with overlapping peptides spanning the Spike and Nucleocapsid proteins. T-cell responses were measured by ELISpot assay, and plasma IFN-γ concentrations by ELISA. Associations with participant characteristics were analyzed using gamma linear and modified Poisson regression models (p < 0.05 considered significant). Results: We found high background T-cell IFN-γ release in 73.4% (105/143) of participants, leaving 38 (26.6%) with detectable responses above background; (38/38;100%) to Spike and (36/38;94.7%) to Nucleocapsid peptides. T-cell response magnitude did not differ by symptomatic/asymptomatic infection or vaccination status. However, each one-year increase in age was associated with a 1% decline in mean T-cell response (p = 0.029). Moreover, among participants with high background responses, 43/105;41% had elevated plasma IFN-γ, and 5/105; 4.8% showed cytokine storm-level concentrations. Alcohol consumption was significantly associated with elevated plasma IFN-γ (p = 0.041). Conclusion: Strong and possibly cross-reactive T-cell responses to SARS-CoV-2 were detected in Tanzanian individuals following infection with/without vaccination. Moreover, high plasma IFN-γ levels were detected, especially among participants who consumed alcohol. We recommend for modifications of the ELISpot T-cell assays to optimize the evaluation of pathogen-specific T-cell responses among African residents given the high background IFN-γ release.

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Nkinda, L., Barabona, G., Ndubi, M., Motozono, C., Nkuwi, E., Kamori, D., Msafiri, F., Kunambi, P., Osati, E., Kidenya, B., Chuwa, H., Hassan, F., Kisuse, J., Mfinanga, S., Senkoro, M., Ueno, T., Lyamuya, F., Balandya, E. (2025). T-Cell Interferon Gamma Responses to SARS-CoV-2 Following Infection with/Without Vaccination in a Tanzanian Population. https://doi.org/10.2147/idr.s532514

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Auteur(s)

Lilian Nkinda Godfrey Barabona Mark M. Ndubi Chihiro Motozono Emmanuel James Nkuwi Doreen Kamori Frank Msafiri Posian Kunambi Elisha Osati Benson R. Kidenya Harrison Chuwa Frank E. Hassan Juma Kisuse Sayoki Mfinanga Mbazi Senkoro Takamasa Ueno Furaha Lyamuya Emmanuel Balandya

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