LACK OF INTERFERON-GAMMA RECEPTOR DOES NOT INFLUENCE THE OUTCOME OF INFECTION IN MURINE SCHISTOSOMIASIS-MANSONI

Studies of vaccine-induced immunity in experimental schistosomiasis in mice have suggested that interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) is an important factor for the induction of protective immunity against schistosomias is. The present study compares some parameters during primary schistos ome infection in IFN-gamma receptor deficient mice and wild type mice. No significant difference in worm burden between the two groups was f ound. Almost the same number of eggs in the liver as well as typical g ranulomas with numerous macrophages and eosinophils were observed in b oth groups of mice. Furthermore, IFN-gamma receptor deficient mice inf ected with S. mansoni displayed a significant reduction in the number of IgG2a secreting cells in the spleen and a significant enhancement o f IgA secreting cells in the spleen and in the lungs. These findings s uggest that the lack of IFN-gamma activity may result in an enhanced d ominance of Th2 cells which, however, does not influence the developme nt of a primary schistosome infection.