Immunophenotypic characterization of patients with American cutaneous leishmaniasis prior to and after treatment in Pernambuco, Brazil

Abstract

+ and CD25 + T cells in the peripheral blood of patients afflicted with American cutaneous leishmaniasis (ACL) -before and after treatment -and healthy controls. Peripheral blood was collected and transferred to cytometry tubes containing monoclonal antibodies specific for cell surface markers CD3, CD4, CD8, CD16 e CD25. The immunophenotypic and morphometric parameters of cells were determined by flow cytometry and the results demonstrated a significant increase in the number of T CD8 + cells after treatment, suggesting a cytotoxic T cell response. An increase in CD25 + T cells in patients with active ACL and after treatment was also observed, suggesting the participation of these cells in the modulation of the exacerbated effector response.

Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis is the main species causing cutaneous leishmaniasis in the Federal District of Brazil

“…These findings are similar to those commonly described for this infection (14)(15)(16)(17). The predominance of isolated lesions on the legs reflects the area of exposure to the bite of the vector, while bigger ulcerative lesions could be related to a delay in seeking medical assistance.…”