Objective: To study the inflammatory immune response to Pneumocystis canii pneumonia(PCP) in rats induced by glucocorticoid(GC).
Methods: The model of PCP was set up by injecting GC subcutanously to SD rats. Lymphocyte proportion in peripheral blood, CD4+/CD8+ T cell ratio of PBL and lymphocyte proportion in the BALF were measured. The levels of sIL-2R and TNF-alpha in the BALF were detected.
Results: 1. After the rats were immunospressed, the lymphocyte proportion in the peripheral blood and CD4+/CD8+ ratio of PBL, and the lymphocyte proportion in the BALF were decreased, and the levels of sIL-2R, TNF-alpha in BALF were reduced. 2. The lowest levels of TNF-alpha in BALF and CD4+/CD8+ T cells of PBL were observed in PCP group; 3. The lymphocyte proportion in the BALF was significantly higher in PCP group than in PC negative group.
Conclusion: The reduction in the level of TNF-alpha and CD4+/CD8+ T cell ratio in rats treated with GC might result in PCP infection under immunosuppressive condition.