In:
Clinical and Experimental Immunology, Oxford University Press (OUP), Vol. 117, No. 3 ( 2001-12-24), p. 524-528
Abstract:
Serological rebounds occur frequently in patients with congenital toxoplasmosis, but remain poorly understood. A link between Th1 and Th2 cytokines and the pathophysiology of infectious diseases has been reported. Production of interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) and IL-4 in supernatants of whole blood after in vitro specific Toxoplasma gondii stimulation and serum-specific IgE levels were studied in 31 congenitally infected children. IFN-γ was produced at higher levels by lymphocytes from children with stable congenital toxoplasmosis (n = 18) than from children showing serological rebound (n = 13) (P & lt; 0.04). Conversely, supernatants from children with serological rebound showed higher levels of IL-4 than those from children with stable congenital toxoplasmosis (P & lt; 0.03). The polarized Th2 response was confirmed by a greater (IL-4:IFN-γ) × 100 ratio (P & lt; 0.0001) and production of T. gondii-specific IgE in six out of 13 children showing serological rebound. These results suggest a role of Th2 cytokines in destabilization of congenital toxoplasmosis and perhaps in local reactivation of the parasite.
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
0009-9104
,
1365-2249
DOI:
10.1046/j.1365-2249.1999.01019.x
Language:
English
Publisher:
Oxford University Press (OUP)
Publication Date:
2001
detail.hit.zdb_id:
2020024-9
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