IMMUNE-RESPONSE AND IN-VIVO PRODUCTION OF CYTOKINES IN PATIENTS WITH LIVER HYDATIDOSIS

Cytokines pray an important role in the human immunological response, but the exact role of cytokines in the human immune response against p arasites, especially against Echinococcus granulosus, remains unclear. IL-1, IL-2, IL-4 and tumour necrosis factor (TNF) levels in periphera l blood of 21 patients with liver hydatidosis were evaluated before su rgical treatment, and the levels of IgA, IgM, IgG, IgE, specific IgE a gainst E. granulosus, C3, C4 and BF complement fractions and CD20, CD3 , CD4, CD8 and CD16 cell percentages were also determined, as was the relationship between these variables and cytokine levels. Data from hy datid patients were compared with data obtained from 21 healthy volunt eers. Hydatid patients showed increases of IgG, IgE, IgEs and IL-2 (P < 0.01), and decreases of IL-1 and TNF levels (P < 0.001), but these v ariables (respectively) increased in patients showing cysts in the cen tral area of the liver or with a wide opening of cysts in the biliary tract. The increase of IL-1, IL-2 and IL-4 showed a close relationship with the number, characteristics and above all the location of cysts within the liver itself. IgG and IL-4 revels and also IgG and IgE leve ls showed a significant correlation (P < 0.05).