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Clinical and Diagnostic Laboratory Immunology, March 2002, p. 348-351, Vol. 9, No. 2
1071-412X/02/$04.00+0     DOI: 10.1128/CDLI.9.2.348-351.2002
Copyright © 2002, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.

Role of Th1 and Th2 Cytokines in Immune Response to Uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum Malaria

Donato Torre,^1* Filippo Speranza,¹ Massimo Giola,¹ Alberto Matteelli,² Roberto Tambini,¹ and Gilberto Biondi¹

Department of Infectious Diseases, Regional Hospital and Macchi Foundation,¹ Institute of Infectious Diseases, University of Brescia Brescia, Italy²

Received 22 June 2001/ Returned for modification 1 October 2001/ Accepted 6 November 2001

The relative balance between Th1 and Th2 cytokines appears crucial, since the role of cytokines has been evaluated in several studies by comparison of clinically heterogeneous groups of patients. The aim of this study is to determine the role of proinflammatory Th1 cytokines, interleukin-12 (IL-12) and gamma interferon (IFN-), and anti-inflammatory Th2 cytokines, IL-4 and IL-10, in a homogeneous group of patients with uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria. Levels of IL-12, IFN-, Il-4, and IL-10 in serum for 20 adult patients and 15 healthy control subjects were determined by an immunoenzymatic assay. Serum levels of Th1 cytokines, IL-12 (8.6 ± 2.8 pg/ml; controls, 3.2 ± 0.7 pg/ml) and IFN- (39.2 ± 67.6 pg/ml; controls, 8.4 ± 6.3 pg/ml), were significantly increased at admission; 3 days later, levels of IL-12 in serum remained significantly high (8.8 ± 2.6 pg/ml), whereas IFN- levels returned to control values. The anti-inflammatory response of Th2 cytokines (IL-10 and IL-4) was distinct. Levels of IL-10 in serum were not significantly increased at day 0 and day 3 (306.6 ± 200.4 pg/ml and 56.6 ± 38.4 pg/ml, respectively; controls, 17.4 ± 9.0 pg/ml). In contrast, levels of IL-4 in serum were not increased on admission (3.4 ± 1.2 pg/ml; controls, 2.4 ± 0.8 pg/ml), but at day 3 a moderate and significant increase of IL-4 levels was observed (4.5 ± 1.7 pg/ml). In conclusion, the increase of Th1 cytokine IL-12 and IFN- levels during the acute phase of uncomplicated P. falciparum malaria may reflect an early and effective immune response regulated by proinflammatory Th1 cytokines, and in particular IFN- may play a role in limiting progression from uncomplicated malaria to severe and life-threatening complications.

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* Corresponding author. Mailing address: Department of Infectious Diseases, Regional Hospital, Viale Borri 57, 21100 Varese, Italy. Phone: 039-0332-278447. Fax: 039-0332-278580. E-mail: eiwle{at}tin.it.

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Clinical and Diagnostic Laboratory Immunology, March 2002, p. 348-351, Vol. 9, No. 2
1071-412X/02/$04.00+0     DOI: 10.1128/CDLI.9.2.348-351.2002
Copyright © 2002, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.

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