Cellular immune response and Th1/Th2 cytokines in human neurocysticercosis: lack of immune suppression.
Some reports have suggested that human neurocysticercosis (NCC) induces immunosuppression. To test this hypothesis, we performed a study on active cases of NCC who had not received cestocidal or immunosuppressive treatments. We examined blood counts and specific T cell markers (CD3, CD4, and CD8) by flow cytometry and found no differences between patients with NCC and healthy individuals. Both groups responded to concanavalin A (Con A), and patients with NCC responded more to a parasite crude antigen than uninfected individuals. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were examined for interleukin (IL)-2, interferon-gamma, IL-10, and IL-4 mRNA. Regardless of infection status, more than 60% of individuals synthesized IL-2 mRNA and, less frequently, the other cytokines. These data suggest that immunosuppression does not occur in NCC patients.
Medina-Escutia
E
E
Departamento de Biotecnología, Instituto Nacional de Diagnóstico y Referencia Epidemiológicos, Secretaría de Salud, México, Col. Sto. Tomás, DF.
Morales-López
Z
Z
Proaño
J V
JV
Vazquez
J
J
Bermúdez
V
V
Navarrete
V O
VO
Madrid-Marina
V
V
Laclette
J P
JP
Correa
D
D
D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D016207:Cytokines / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007108:Immune Tolerance; D007111:Immunity, Cellular; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008297:Male; D020019:Neurocysticercosis / Q000276:immunology*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis
D016207:Cytokines; D012333:RNA, Messenger