Abstract
This work aimed to study the T helper type 1/2 (Th1/Th2) cytokine profile in a co-infection murine model of Plasmodium chabaudi chabaudi and Leishmania infantum. Expression of interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) and interleukin-4 (IL-4) was analyzed, in spleen and liver of C57BL/6 mice, by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. High levels of IFN-gamma expression did not prevent the progression of Leishmania in co-infected mice and Leishmania infection did not interfere with the Th1/Th2 switch necessary for Plasmodium control. The presence of IL-4 at day 28 in co-infected mice, essential for Plasmodium elimination, was probably a key factor on the exacerbation of the Leishmania infection.
MeSH terms
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Animals
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Disease Models, Animal
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Female
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Interferon-gamma / analysis*
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Interferon-gamma / genetics
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Interleukin-4 / analysis*
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Interleukin-4 / genetics
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Leishmania infantum / immunology*
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Leishmaniasis, Visceral / complications
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Leishmaniasis, Visceral / immunology
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Liver / immunology
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Liver / parasitology
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Malaria / complications
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Malaria / immunology
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Mice
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Mice, Inbred C57BL
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Parasitemia / immunology
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Plasmodium chabaudi / immunology*
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RNA, Messenger / analysis
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RNA, Protozoan / analysis
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Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
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Spleen / immunology
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Spleen / parasitology
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Th1 Cells / immunology*
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Th2 Cells / immunology*
Substances
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RNA, Messenger
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RNA, Protozoan
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Interleukin-4
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Interferon-gamma