In vitro production of type 1 and type 2 cytokines by peripheral blood mononuclear cells from subjects coinfected with human immunodeficiency virus and Leishmania infantum

To explore the type 1 and type 2 cytokine profile in cases coinfected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and Leishmania infantum, production of i nterleukin-4 (IL-4), interleukin-10 (IL-10), interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma), and interleukin-2 receptor (IL-2R) was investigated in mitogen-stimulated a nd unstimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cell cultures from eight HIV/L eishmania coinfected subjects matched with eight anti-HIV-positive subjects with no evidence of Leishmania coinfection. Levels of IL-4 and IL-2R incre ased significantly from the baseline levels in the peripheral blood mononuc lear cell supernatants of HIV/Leishmania coinfected subjects following stim ulation with phytohemoagglutin, whereas the postchallenge concentration of IFN-gamma was significantly increased in the HIV-infected group. The levels of IL-4 and IL-10 were significantly higher in the HIV/Leishmania group th roughout evaluation. Post-stimulation IFN-gamma production was significantl y higher in the HIV-positive group in comparison with that of the HIV-Leish mania coinfected subjects. These observations support the notion that a Th2 cytokine response is present during a Leishmania infection, even among HIV -coinfected individuals.