A SYSTEMIC DOWN-REGULATION OF GAMMA-INTERFERON PRODUCTION IS ASSOCIATED WITH ACUTE SHIGELLOSIS

Production of cytokines by peripheral blood mononuclear cells from Shi gella-infected patients was assessed, The frequencies of tumor necrosi s factor alpha (TNF-alpha), TNF-beta, and transforming growth factor b eta mRNA-expressing cells were persistently upregulated during the cou rse of shigellosis in comparison to those of healthy controls. In cont rast, the frequency of gamma interferon (IFN-gamma) mRNA-expressing ce lls was significantly reduced during the acute stage compared to that during the convalescent stage and to that of healthy Bangladeshi contr ols (P < 0.01). Constitutive IFN-gamma production in Bangladeshi contr ols was significantly upregulated compared to that in Swedish controls .