1
|
Ramos-Rincon JM, Torrús-Tendero D, García-Morante H, Gimeno-Gascón A, Marco F, Gil-Anguita C, Wikman-Jorgensen P, Lucas-Dato A, Rodriguez-Diaz JC, Amador C, Llenas-García J. Cytokine profile levels and their relationship with parasitemia and cardiomyopathy in people with Chagas disease in Spain. A prospective observational study. Parasitol Res 2023; 123:66. [PMID: 38133693 PMCID: PMC10746755 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-023-08042-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2023] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
Immunoregulatory networks may have a role in controlling parasitemia in the chronic phase of human Chagas disease. The aim was to describe the serum cytokine profile of Trypanosoma cruzi in chronically infected patients and to evaluate its relationship with parasitemia and Chagas cardiomyopathy.This prospective observational study included adult patients with chronic Chagas disease. Demographic and clinical data were collected, and peripheral blood samples were used to perform T. cruzi real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and determine the serum cytokine profile.Fifty-eight patients were included; 17 (29.3%) had positive RT-PCR results. This group had a higher median concentration of TNF-α (p = 0.003), IL-6 (p = 0.021), IL-4 (p = 0.031), IL-1β (p = 0.036), and IL-17A (p = 0.043) than those with a negative RT-PCR. Patients with cardiac involvement had a higher median concentration of IL-5 (p = 0.016) than those without.These results reinforce the key role that cytokines play in Chagas disease patients with parasitemia and cardiac involvement.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jose-Manuel Ramos-Rincon
- Internal Medicine Department, Dr. Balmis General University Hospital, Alicante Institute for Health and Biomedical Research (ISABIAL), Pintor Baeza 12, 03010, Alicante, Spain.
- Clinical Medicine Department, Miguel Hernández University of Elche, Alicante, Spain.
| | - Diego Torrús-Tendero
- Reference Unit of Imported Diseases and International Health & Infectious Diseases Unit, Dr. Balmis General University Hospital, Alicante Institute for Health and Biomedical Research (ISABIAL), Alicante, Spain
- Parasitology Area, Miguel Hernández University of Elche, Alicante, Spain
| | - Hilarion García-Morante
- Internal Medicine Department, Vega Baja Hospital, Orihuela, Alicante, Spain
- Foundation for the Promotion of Health and Biomedical Research of the Valencia Region (FISABIO), Valencia, Spain
| | - Adelina Gimeno-Gascón
- Clinical Unit of Infectious Diseases, Microbiology, and Parasitology, Virgen del Rocío University Hospital, Seville, Spain
- Clinical and Molecular Microbiology Research Group, Institute of Biomedicine of Seville (IBiS), Seville, Spain
| | - Francisco Marco
- Immunology Department, Dr. Balmis General University Hospital, Alicante Institute for Health and Biomedical Research (ISABIAL), Alicante, Spain
| | | | - Philip Wikman-Jorgensen
- Foundation for the Promotion of Health and Biomedical Research of the Valencia Region (FISABIO), Valencia, Spain
- Internal Medicine Department, General University Hospital of Elda, Alicante, Spain
| | - Ana Lucas-Dato
- Internal Medicine Department, Vega Baja Hospital, Orihuela, Alicante, Spain
- Foundation for the Promotion of Health and Biomedical Research of the Valencia Region (FISABIO), Valencia, Spain
| | - Juan-Carlos Rodriguez-Diaz
- Microbiology Department, Dr. Balmis General University Hospital, Alicante Institute for Health and Biomedical Research (ISABIAL), Alicante, Spain
- Microbiology Department, Miguel Hernández University of Elche, Elche, Spain
| | - Concepción Amador
- Internal Medicine Department, Marina Baixa Hospital, Villajoyosa, Alicante, Spain
| | - Jara Llenas-García
- Clinical Medicine Department, Miguel Hernández University of Elche, Alicante, Spain
- Internal Medicine Department, Vega Baja Hospital, Orihuela, Alicante, Spain
- Foundation for the Promotion of Health and Biomedical Research of the Valencia Region (FISABIO), Valencia, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Neves EGA, Koh CC, Padilha da Silva JL, Passos LSA, Villani FNA, Dos Santos JSC, Menezes CAS, Silva VR, Tormin JPAS, Evangelista GFB, Carvalho ATD, Rocha MODC, Nascimento B, Gollob KJ, Nunes MDCP, Dutra WO. Systemic cytokines, chemokines and growth factors reveal specific and shared immunological characteristics in infectious cardiomyopathies. Cytokine 2021; 148:155711. [PMID: 34592495 DOI: 10.1016/j.cyto.2021.155711] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2021] [Revised: 09/07/2021] [Accepted: 09/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Heart disease is a major cause of death worldwide. Chronic Chagas cardiomyopathy (CCC) caused by infection with Trypanosoma cruzi leading to high mortality in adults, and rheumatic heart disease (RHD), resulting from infection by Streptococcus pyogenes affecting mainly children and young adults, are amongst the deadliest heart diseases in low-middle income countries. Despite distinct etiology, the pathology associated with both diseases is a consequence of inflammation. Here we compare systemic immune profile in patients with these cardiopathies, to identify particular and common characteristics in these infectious heart diseases. We evaluated the expression of 27 soluble factors, employing single and multivariate analysis combined with machine-learning approaches. We observed that, while RHD and CCC display higher levels of circulating mediators than healthy individuals, CCC is associated with stronger immune activation as compared to RHD. Despite distinct etiologies, univariate analysis showed that expression of TNF, IL-17, IFN-gamma, IL-4, CCL4, CCL3, CXCL8, CCL11, CCL2, PDGF-BB were similar between CCC and RHD, consistent with their inflammatory nature. Network analysis revealed common inflammatory pathways between CCC and RHD, while highlighting the broader reach of the inflammatory response in CCC. The final multivariate model showed a 100% discrimination power for the combination of the cytokines IL-12p70, IL-1Ra, IL-4, and IL-7 between CCC and RHD groups. Thus, while clear immunological distinctions were identified between CCC and RHD, similarities indicate shared inflammatory pathways in these infectious heart diseases. These results contribute to understanding the pathogenesis of CCC and RHD and may impact the design of immune-based therapies for these and other inflammatory cardiopathies that may also share immunological characteristics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Eula G A Neves
- Cell-cell Interactions Laboratory, Department of Morphology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Carolina C Koh
- Cell-cell Interactions Laboratory, Department of Morphology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | | | - Lívia S A Passos
- Cell-cell Interactions Laboratory, Department of Morphology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil; Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | | | - Cristiane A S Menezes
- Department of Clinical and Toxicological Analysis, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Vicente R Silva
- Graduate Program in Infectology and Tropical Medicine, School of Medicine, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Julia P A S Tormin
- Graduate Program in Infectology and Tropical Medicine, School of Medicine, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | | | | | - Manoel Otávio da Costa Rocha
- Graduate Program in Infectology and Tropical Medicine, School of Medicine, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Bruno Nascimento
- Graduate Program in Infectology and Tropical Medicine, School of Medicine, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Kenneth John Gollob
- Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein, São Paulo, SP, Brazil; Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Doenças Tropicais, INCT-DT, Salvador, BA, Brazil
| | - Maria do Carmo P Nunes
- Graduate Program in Infectology and Tropical Medicine, School of Medicine, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Walderez O Dutra
- Cell-cell Interactions Laboratory, Department of Morphology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil; Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Doenças Tropicais, INCT-DT, Salvador, BA, Brazil.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
de Almeida Fiuza LF, Batista DDGJ, Nunes DF, Moreira OC, Cascabulho C, Soeiro MDNC. Benznidazole modulates release of inflammatory mediators by cardiac spheroids infected with Trypanosoma cruzi. Exp Parasitol 2020; 221:108061. [PMID: 33383023 DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2020.108061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2020] [Accepted: 12/22/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Chagas disease (CD) caused by Trypanosoma cruzi remains a serious public health problem in Latin America. The available treatment is limited to two old drugs, benznidazole (Bz) and nifurtimox, which exhibit limited efficacy and trigger side effects, justifying the search for new therapies. Also, more accurate and sensitive experimental protocols for drug discovery programs are necessary to shrink the translational gaps found among pre-clinical and clinical trials. Presently, cardiac spheroids were used to evaluate host cell cytotoxicity and anti-T.cruzi activity of benznidazole, exploring its effect on the release of inflammatory mediators. Bz presented low toxic profile on 3D matrices (LC50 > 200 μM) and high potency in vitro (EC50 = 0.99 μM) evidenced by qPCR analysis of T.cruzi-infected cardiac spheroids. Flow cytometry appraisal of inflammatory mediators released at the cellular supernatant showed increases in IL - 6 and TNF contents (≈190 and ≈ 25-fold) in parasitized spheroids as compared to uninfected cultures. Bz at 10 μM suppressed parasite load (92%) concomitantly decreasing in IL-6 (36%) and TNF (68%). Our findings corroborate the successful use of 3D cardiac matrices for in vitro identification of novel anti-parasitic agents and potential impact in host cell physiology.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Denise da Gama Jaen Batista
- Laboratório de Biologia Celular, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Daniela Ferreira Nunes
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular e Doenças Endêmicas, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Otacílio Cruz Moreira
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular e Doenças Endêmicas, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Cynthia Cascabulho
- Laboratório de Inovações Em Terapias, Ensino e Bioprodutos, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | | |
Collapse
|
4
|
T-Cell Immunophenotyping and Cytokine Production Analysis in Patients with Chagas Disease 4 Years after Benznidazole Treatment. Infect Immun 2019; 87:IAI.00103-19. [PMID: 31085707 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00103-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2019] [Accepted: 05/06/2019] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
The major problem with Chagas disease is evolution of the chronic indeterminate form to a progressive cardiac disease. Treatment diminishes parasitemia but not clinical progression, and the immunological features involved are unclear. Here, we studied the clinical course and the immune response in patients with chronic-phase Chagas disease at 48 months after benznidazole treatment. Progression to the cardiac form of Chagas disease or its aggravation was associated with higher in vitro antigen-specific production of interferon gamma (IFN-γ) in patients with cardiac Chagas disease than in patients with the indeterminate form. Predominance of IFN-γ production over interleukin-10 (IL-10) production in antigen-specific cultures was associated with cardiac involvement. Significantly higher numbers of antigen-specific T helper 1 cells (T-Bet+ IFN-γ+) and a significantly higher IFN-γ+/IL-10+ ratio were observed in patients with cardiac Chagas disease than in patients with the indeterminate form. Cardiac damage was associated with higher numbers of T helper cells than cytotoxic T lymphocytes producing IFN-γ. Patients with cardiac Chagas disease had predominant CD25- and CD25low T regulatory (Treg) subpopulations, whereas patients with the indeterminate form manifested a higher relative mean percentage of CD25high Treg subpopulations. These findings suggest that at 48 months after benznidazole treatment, the disease can worsen or progress to the cardiac form. The progression may be related to increased IFN-γ production (mostly from CD4+ T cells) relative to IL-10 production and increased Treg percentages. Patients with the indeterminate form of Chagas disease show a more balanced ratio of proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines.
Collapse
|
5
|
Llaguno M, Pertili LARDR, da Silva MV, Bunazar P, Reges AM, Faleiros ACG, Lages-Silva E, Rodrigues Junior V, da Silva VJD, Correia Filho D. The relationship between heart rate variability and serum cytokines in chronic chagasic patients with persistent parasitemia. PACING AND CLINICAL ELECTROPHYSIOLOGY: PACE 2011; 34:724-35. [PMID: 21276024 DOI: 10.1111/j.1540-8159.2010.03025.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Persistent parasitemia, immunological, and autonomic nervous system impairments may play an important role in the evolution and clinical outcome of the chronic phase of Chagas' disease by triggering functional cardiovascular changes. METHODS Three groups were evaluated: 17 chronic chagasic patients with the indeterminate form (IChD), 12 chronic chagasic patients with cardiac forms (ChHD), and 29 individuals as a healthy control group. Parasitemia was assessed by polymerase chain reaction; hemoculture, heart rate variability by linear and nonlinear methods, and interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, IL-12, IL-13, IL-17, and tumor necrosis factor-α, and interferon (IFN)-γ serum cytokines were assessed by enzyme-linked immune assay. RESULTS Twenty-nine chronic chagasic patients were positive for parasitemia (17 IChD and 12 ChHD). Heart rate variability parameters in baseline condition and after cold face test were significantly decreased in chagasic patients compared to controls. Tilt tests showed no alteration. However, using nonlinear indices, ChHD patients presented lower values compared to IChD and controls. Differences in the expression of serum cytokines were observed between chagasic patients and controls. However, among the groups, ChHD presented higher median values of IL-10 and lower of IFN-γ compared to IChD. CONCLUSION Both chagasic groups present an autonomic impairment using linear methods. The nonlinear methods revealed that the ChHD group had a higher cardiovascular risk. Serum cytokine concentrations between chagasic patients were similar. However, ChHD showed higher concentrations of IL-10 and lower of IFN-γ, suggesting some established process of immune regulation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mauricio Llaguno
- Internal Medicine Department, Infectious Division, Federal University of the Triângulo Mineiro, Uberaba, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
6
|
de Lima Pereira SA, Severino VO, Kohl NLM, Rodrigues DBR, Alves PM, Clemente-Napimoga JT, dos Reis MA, Teixeira VPA, Napimoga MH. Expression of cytokines and chemokines and microvasculature alterations of the tongue from patients with chronic Chagas’ disease. Parasitol Res 2009; 105:1031-9. [DOI: 10.1007/s00436-009-1513-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2009] [Accepted: 05/27/2009] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
|
7
|
D'Ávila DA, Guedes PMM, Castro AM, Gontijo ED, Chiari E, Galvão LMC. Immunological imbalance between IFN-³ and IL-10 levels in the sera of patients with the cardiac form of Chagas disease. Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz 2009; 104:100-5. [DOI: 10.1590/s0074-02762009000100015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2008] [Accepted: 01/16/2009] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Lúcia MC Galvão
- Instituto de Ciências Biológicas; Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Brasil
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Crema E, Monteiro IDO, Gomes MGZ, Silva AA, Rodrigues Júnior V. Evaluation of cytokines (MIG, IFN-gamma, TNF-alpha, IL-4, IL-5, and IL-10) during the different evolutive phases of chagasic esophagopathy. Clin Immunol 2006; 119:213-8. [PMID: 16513426 DOI: 10.1016/j.clim.2005.12.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2005] [Revised: 12/19/2005] [Accepted: 12/29/2005] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
The production of cytokines (MIG, IFN-gamma, TNF-alpha, IL-4, IL-5, and IL-10) was studied in 39 individuals, including 28 with chagasic esophagopathy and 11 nonchagasic patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease. A sandwich enzyme immunoassay employing monoclonal antibody pairs specific for each cytokine was used. IFN-gamma and MIG production was significantly higher in patients with megaesophagus compared to control. Furthermore, in the absence of stimulation TNF-alpha levels were lower in the chagasic group than in the control group. In addition, significantly lower TNF-alpha levels were observed for the advanced form of the disease compared to the nonadvanced form. These results support the hypothesis that, although patients with advanced phase of megaesophagus present low number of CD4+ T lymphocytes, PBMC from this patients are able to respond up specific antigen stimulation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Eduardo Crema
- Disciplines of the Digestive Apparatus and Immunology, Federal University of Triângulo Mineiro, Uberaba, MG, Brazil
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
9
|
Rodrigues DBR, Correia D, Marra MD, Giraldo LER, Lages-Silva E, Silva-Vergara ML, Barata CH, Rodrigues Junior V. Cytokine serum levels in patients infected by human immunodeficiency virus with and without Trypanosoma cruzi coinfection. Rev Soc Bras Med Trop 2005; 38:483-7. [PMID: 16410923 DOI: 10.1590/s0037-86822005000600007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
This study assessed the number of CD4 T lymphocytes, the parasitemia and serum levels of interferon gamma (IFN-gamma), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin-1 (IL-1), IL-4 and IL-10 of patients infected by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and human immunodeficiency virus/Chagas' disease coinfection. CD4 T lymphocytes were low in the two groups of patients, although significantly lower in patients without Chagas' disease. Serum levels of IFN-gamma, IL-4 and TNF-alpha were significantly higher in patients with HIV/Chagas' disease. IL-4/IFN-gamma ratios were higher in patients with HIV/Chagas' disease, which showed a clear balance in favor of Th2-like cytokines in this group of patients. This Th2 balance was higher in patients with detectable parasitemia. We conclude that, although immunosuppression was observed, with CD4 T lymphocytes bellow 200/µm³, these patients did not display reactivation of T. cruzi infection and that a balance favorable to Th2 was associated with the presence of parasitemia.
Collapse
|
10
|
Ferreira RC, Ianni BM, Abel LCJ, Buck P, Mady C, Kalil J, Cunha-Neto E. Increased plasma levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha in asymptomatic/"indeterminate" and Chagas disease cardiomyopathy patients. Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz 2003; 98:407-11. [PMID: 12886425 DOI: 10.1590/s0074-02762003000300021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 92] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
We compared plasma tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) levels among asymptomatic/"indeterminate" Chagas disease patients (ASY) and patients across the clinical spectrum of chronic Chagas disease cardiomyopathy (CCC). Idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) patients and normal controls (NC) were included as controls. ASY Chagas disease patients had significantly higher plasma TNF-alpha levels than NC. TNF-alpha levels among severe CCC patients with significant left ventricular (LV) dysfunction were similar to those of DCM patients, showing average 2-fold higher levels than CCC patients without LV dysfunction and ASY patients, and 8-fold higher levels than NC. In Chagas disease, chronic TNF-a production prior to heart failure may play a role in CCC progression.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Renata Cristina Ferreira
- Divisão de Cardiopatias Gerais, Instituto do Coração, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, 05403-000, Brasil
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
11
|
Moretti E, Basso B, Cervetta L, Brigada A, Barbieri G. Patterns of cytokines and soluble cellular receptors in the sera of children with acute chagas' disease. CLINICAL AND DIAGNOSTIC LABORATORY IMMUNOLOGY 2002; 9:1324-7. [PMID: 12414768 PMCID: PMC130093 DOI: 10.1128/cdli.9.6.1324-1327.2002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Cytokines and soluble cellular receptors are involved in inflammatory processes and probably in the pathogenesis of parasite and bacterial diseases. In a previous study, we reported increased levels of soluble receptors of interleukin-2 (sIL2-R) in children with acute Chagas' disease, one of the main parasitic infections that is endemic in Latin America. We sought to analyze the pattern of different cytokines and soluble receptors in the sera of children with chagasic infection. Children with acute and indeterminate stages of Chagas' disease, as well as nonchagasic children, were studied. Sera were assayed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to measure the levels of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), IL-6, IL-2, IL-8, IL-12, sIL-2R, and the soluble receptors of CD8 and CD4 (sCD8 and sCD4). sIL-2R and sCD8 showed the highest levels in serum in acutely infected children, decreasing after specific antiparasite therapy. Chronic children showed a pattern similar to the one of nonchagasic children. Although they were not statistically significant, TNF-alpha, IL-6, and sCD4 showed a tendency to reach high levels in the acutely infected group, whereas IL-2, IL-8, and IL-12 did not reveal changes with respect to the noninfected children. In summary, we report here the patterns of cytokines and soluble receptors in in the sera of children infected with Trypanosoma cruzi; we found significantly increased levels of sIL-2R and sCD8 in acute infection that decreased after therapy, and high levels of TNF-alpha, IL-6, and sCD4 in some of the acute patients. The measurement of sIL-2R and sCD8 may provide a useful tool in the follow-up of children with Chagas' disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Edgardo Moretti
- Servicio Nacional de Chagas/Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina.
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|