Imbalanced IL10/TGF-β production by regulatory T-lymphocytes in patients with HTLV-1-associated myelopathy/ tropical spastic paraparesis.

Background: Human T-cell lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1), also denominated Human T-cell leukemia virus-1, induces immune activation and secretion of proinflammatory cytokines, especially in individuals with HTLV-1-associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP). Regulatory T lymphocytes (Tregs) may control of inflammation through the production of regulatory cytokines, including IL10 and TGF-β. In this study we determined the frequencies of CD4 + and CD8 + Tregs in a HAM/TSP population, compared to asymptomatic carriers and uninfected individuals, as well as investigated the profiles of regulatory and inflammatory cytokines.

Seroconversion of sentinel chickens as a biomarker for monitoring exposure to visceral leishmaniasis.

Leishmania infantum chagasi causes visceral leishmaniasis (VL); it is transmitted by the sand fly Lutzomyia longipalpis that injects saliva and parasites into the host's skin during a blood meal. Chickens represent an important blood source for sand flies and their presence in the endemic area is often cited as a risk factor for VL transmission. However, the role of chickens in VL epidemiology has not been well defined.