Katie M Kurkjian

Publications (3)8.91 Total impact

• Article: The epidemiology of visceral leishmaniasis and asymptomatic leishmanial infection in a highly endemic Bangladeshi village.

  Caryn Bern, Rashidul Haque, Rajib Chowdhury, Mustakim Ali, Katie M Kurkjian, Louise Vaz, Josef Amann, M A Wahed, Yukiko Wagatsuma, Robert F Breiman, John Williamson, W Evan Secor, James H Maguire
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  ABSTRACT: We examined the epidemiology of kala-azar and asymptomatic leishmanial infection measured by serologic and leishmanin skin test results in a Bangladeshi community. In a subset, we measured serum retinol, zinc and C-reactive protein (CRP). Kala-azar and seroconversion incidence were 15.6 and 63.1 per 1,000 person-years, respectively. Proximity to a previous kala-azar case increased the likelihood of both kala-azar and asymptomatic infection. Bed net use protected against kala-azar (rate ratio = 0.35, P < 0.01), but not subclinical infection (rate ratio = 1.1, P = 0.82). Kala-azar patients were younger (P < 0.001) and reported lower red meat consumption (P < 0.01) than asymptomatic seropositive individuals. Retinol and zinc levels were lower in current kala-azar patients and those who later developed kala-azar compared with uninfected and asymptomatically infected subjects. The CRP levels were higher in kala-azar patients compared with the other two groups. Low red meat intake and poor zinc and retinol status may characterize a group at higher risk of symptomatic disease.
  The American journal of tropical medicine and hygiene 05/2007; 76(5):909-14. · 2.59 Impact Factor
• Article: Loss of leishmanin skin test antigen sensitivity and potency in a longitudinal study of visceral leishmaniasis in Bangladesh.

  Caryn Bern, Josef Amann, Rashidul Haque, Rajib Chowdhury, Mustakim Ali, Katie M Kurkjian, Louise Vaz, Yukiko Wagatsuma, Robert F Breiman, W Evan Secor, James H Maguire
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  ABSTRACT: Annual leishmanin skin test (LST) surveys were conducted in a visceral leishmaniasis-endemic Bangladeshi community from 2002 through 2004, using Leishmania infantum antigen from the same manufacturer and batch. In 2002, 530 (35%) of 1,532 had positive LST results; the prevalence increased with increasing age. The LST result was positive in 24 (51%) of 47, 18 (72%) of 25, and 11 (85%) of 13 kala-azar patients treated in the previous 1-11, 12-23, and 24-35 months. A positive LST result in 2002 was associated with protection against subsequent kala-azar (P < 0.0001). In 2003-2004, decreased antigen sensitivity was observed. Among 686 participants, 34% were LST-positive in 2002, 29% in 2003, and 19% in 2004. Of 63 cured kala-azar patients, 70% were positive in 2002, 53% in 2003, and only 30% in 2004. Among 171 participants tested with both antigens, L. infantum study antigen sensitivity was 70% compared with L. amazonensis antigen. Our data underscore the need for better production, standardization, and documentation of sensitivity, potency, and stability of leishmanin antigens.
  The American journal of tropical medicine and hygiene 11/2006; 75(4):744-8. · 2.59 Impact Factor
• Article: Multiplex analysis of circulating cytokines in the sera of patients with different clinical forms of visceral leishmaniasis.

  Katie M Kurkjian, Aida J Mahmutovic, Kathryn L Kellar, Rashidul Haque, Caryn Bern, W Evan Secor
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  ABSTRACT: The clinical spectrum of visceral leishmaniasis (VL), a chronic intracellular parasitic disease, ranges from a subclinical, asymptomatic infection to severe clinical disease (kala-azar). In experimental leishmaniasis, mice that have a Th1 response to infection tend to have limited disease while a Th2 response is associated with disease progression. Humans with VL most often have mixed rather than polarized responses. However, most clinical studies have used methods that require a relatively large sample volume, thus limiting their scope. Measuring multiple cytokine levels in blood samples using a multiplexed microsphere assay (MMA) may be useful to further evaluate the Th1/Th2 paradigm in humans. Bangladeshi individuals (n=120) living in an area endemic for VL were categorized into one of the five clinical categories. Sera from these individuals were measured for levels of IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-12, IFN-gamma, and TNF-alpha by multiplexed microsphere cytokine immunoassay. Circulating IL-8, IL-10, and IL-12 differed significantly among the clinical groups. Persons with kala-azar demonstrated the highest median levels of IL-8 and IL-10 but lower median levels of IL-12. The MMA for cytokines is an extremely time-and sample-efficient method for characterizing circulating cytokine levels in visceral leishmaniasis patients.
  Cytometry Part A 06/2006; 69(5):353-8. · 3.73 Impact Factor