Increased CD8+-T-Cell Expression and a Type 2 Cytokine Pattern during the Muscular Phase ofTrichinellaInfection in Humans

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Abstract
Cell-mediated immunity during the muscular phase ofTrichinellainfection in humans was studied. Cell proliferation, the phenotypic changes in the T-cell population, and expression and production of cytokines were examined by using peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) collected at different times postinfection from 10 individuals who had acquiredTrichinella spiralisand five individuals who had acquiredTrichinella britoviin two distinct outbreaks.T. spiralisandT. britovicrude worm extracts induced proliferation of PBMC fromT. spiralis- andT. britovi-infected donors. Cytokine gene expression showed a predominant type 2 pattern for the entire period of infection studied, although gamma interferon (IFN-γ) was expressed. Interleukin-2 (IL-2), IL-5, IL-10, and IFN-γ production was found in PBMC of all donors. There was a good correspondence between the cytokine expression and production patterns. Changes in PBMC composition, with a trend toward an increase in CD8+lymphocyte counts, were observed.