Cytokines and lymphocyte proliferation in juvenile and adult forms of paracoccidioidomycosis: comparison with infected and non-infected controls.

Cellular immune response to Paracoccidiodes brasiliensis antigens (PbAg) was evaluated in patients with the juvenile (JF) and adult (AF) forms of paracoccidioidomycosis as well as in a group of infected individuals living in the endemic area but without any clinical manifestation of the disease. The immune profile of this group of paracoccidioidomycosis-infected individuals was characterized by: 1) a positive skin test to P. brasiliensis antigen; 2) absence of specific antibodies; 3) a vigorous lymphoproliferative response to PbAg; and 4) a typical Th1 pattern of cytokines, with production of IFN-gamma and basal levels of IL-4, IL-5 and IL-10.