Release of interleukin 2 and gamma interferon by peripheral mononuclear cells in human Schistosoma mansoni infection normalizes after chemotherapy.
Interleukin 2 (IL-2) and gamma interferon (IFN-gamma) were determined in supernatants of mitogen- and antigen-driven cell cultures from patients with hepatosplenic or intestinal schistosomiasis. Skin reactivity was tested using a panel of eight recall antigens. Results were compared with those of uninfected local controls. In both schistosomiasis groups, IL-2 activity was reduced before treatment. In less than one third of the patients, schistosomal antigens elicited detectable IL-2 activity. IFN-gamma production was reduced more severely in hepatosplenic cases, in particular after stimulation by anti-CD3 monoclonal antibodies. After anti-schistosomal therapy with praziquantel, mitogen-induced IL-2 and IFN-gamma activities became normal within 3 months in intestinal schistosomiasis, and within 6 months in the hepatosplenic patient group. Results of in vivo delayed-type hypersensitivity tests paralleled those of in vitro lymphokine production. In conclusion, evidence is presented for severe, antigen-unspecific suppression of lymphokine production and skin reactivity against recall antigens. Anti-parasitic chemotherapy is shown to reverse the impairment of cell-mediated immune responses at the cytokine level.
Zwingenberger
K
K
Department of Immunodiagnosis and Immunoparasitology, State Institute of Tropical Medicine, Berlin, FRG.
Irschick
E
E
Siqueira Vergetti
J G
JG
Correia Dacal
A R
AR
Janssen-Rosseck
R
R
Bienzle
U
U
Huber
C
C
Feldmeier
H
H
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000947:Antigens, Helminth / Q000494:pharmacology; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006968:Hypersensitivity, Delayed / Q000139:chemically induced; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D007422:Intestines / Q000276:immunology; D008099:Liver / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011223:Praziquantel / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012555:Schistosomiasis mansoni / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology*; D012882:Skin Tests; D013154:Spleen / Q000276:immunology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*
D000947:Antigens, Helminth; D007376:Interleukin-2; D011223:Praziquantel; D007371:Interferon-gamma