Production of pro-inflammatory cytokines [gm-csf, il-8 and il-6] by monocytes from fasciolosis patients

ABSTRACT

The production of proinflammatory cytokines by monocytes in vitro has been measured in eight patients with acute fascioliasis and 15 patients in the chronic stage of the disease before and after stimulation by excretory/secretory Fasciola antigen. The results were compared with those of a control group of 12 individuals. The monocytes from patients with acute fascioliasis produced significantly higher levels of GM-CSF, IL-8 and IL-6 as compared to controls. With chronicity, the production of these cytokines was decreased as compared to the acute stage probably due to decreased antigen level in blood. Stimulation of monocytes of healthy control with E/S Fasciola antigen was accompanied with a markedly increased production of proinflammatory cytokines, while monocytes from patients with acute or chronic fascioliasis revealed minimal increase in production. This denoted the importance of E/S Fasciola antigen as an activator of monocytes. A second exposure to the same antigen was accompanied with a limited response