MI2025 – Ezze-Farhana Mohd-Taam

Title:
Evaluation of IgE, mast cells, and allergy-related cytokines in vaccinated and COVID-19 recovered individuals

Abstract:
The COVID-19 pandemic has sparked significant interest in understanding the immune responses of individuals who have experienced both SARS-CoV-2 vaccination and infection. While extensive research has explored both acute and long-term immune responses, less is known about their impact on allergic responses and immune dysregulation. This study investigates allergy-related immune markers in vaccinated COVID-19 convalescent individuals, specifically total IgE, specific anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgE (sIgE), and pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-17A, IL-8, IL-2, IL-4, and IL-6) using ELISA, while mast cells were analysed using flow cytometry. Total IgE and sIgE levels were significantly correlated with age where younger individuals showed significantly higher levels of both total IgE and sIgE compared to older individuals. History of allergy was significantly linked to increased total IgE but showed no association with sIgE. Mast cell levels did not significantly vary by gender, age, allergy status, or infection severity. Cytokine analysis revealed a significant increase in IL-4 levels following SARS-CoV-2 peptide stimulation in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from vaccinated COVID-19 recovered individuals. This effect was more pronounced in those with a history of severe infection, suggesting a Th2-skewed shift upon re-exposure, potentially impacting post-COVID-19 immune regulation and hypersensitivity. Other cytokines (IL-17A, IL-8, IL-2 and IL-6) showed no significant differences, though some trended upward or downward. Vaccinated COVID-19 recovered individuals, particularly those with a history of severe infection, exhibit altered immune profiles characterized by elevated IL-4 levels, suggesting a potential Th2-skewed immune response. These immune alterations, alongside age and allergy history effects on IgE levels, highlight the need for further research to refine treatment strategies and improve clinical management for individuals at risk of immune dysregulation.

Biography:
Ezze Farhana Mohd Taam is a Master’s student at the Tropical Infectious Disease Research and Education Centre (TIDREC), Universiti Malaya. Her current research investigates hypersensitivity effector functions in individuals with prior COVID-19 infection, with an emphasis on IgE-mediated responses, mast cell activity, and cytokine profiles. She employs immunological assays including ELISA and flow cytometry to characterize immune dysregulation associated with post-viral responses. Her broader interests lie in the intersection of viral immunopathology and allergy-related inflammation, with the aim of contributing to a deeper understanding of immune alterations following infectious diseases.