Ocular cytokinome is linked to clinical characteristics in ocular toxoplasmosis

Abstract

Purpose To determine the cytokine levels in aqueous humor (AH) of Colombian patients with active ocular toxoplasmosis (OT), and to correlate them with their clinical characteristics. Methods 27 Cytokines/chemokines were assayed in 15 AH samples (nine patients with diagnosis of OT biologically-confirmed and six controls that underwent cataract surgery). Correlations were assessed between cytokine/chemokine levels, type of inflammatory response (Th1, Th2, Th17, Treg), and clinical characteristics. Results Th2 predominant response was related to more severe clinical features. The presence of VEGF and IL-5 was related to higher number of recurrences. Growth factors (VEGF, FGF, PDGF-β), were related to higher number of lesions. Patients infected by type-I/III strains had a particular intraocular cytokine-pattern. Conclusions Th2 response was related to more severe clinical characteristics in patients infected by Type I/III strains. IL-5 and VEGF were associated with recurrences. We correlate for the first time, specific cytokine-patterns with clinical characteristics and with the infecting Toxoplasma strain.

Evolution of cytokine profile during the treatment of cerebral toxoplasmosis in HIV-infected patients

“…Similar results have been shown in ocular infection, by others (Vallochi et al, 2002;de-la-Torre et al, 2014). These data, also, could be explained by the deviation to Th2 immune response including the production of antiinflammatory cytokines favor the parasite's survival.…”

Innate recognition of Toxoplasma gondii in humans involves a mechanism distinct from that utilized by rodents

“…Nevertheless, numerous studies have been performed on patients with ocular toxoplasmosis and other parasite-induced pathologies. 32, 33, 34 In general, these studies support the general Th1/Th17 character of the adaptive immune response to T. gondii and an effector role for T-cell-derived IFN-γ in the intracellular control of parasite growth in vitro. 35 However, until recently, there have been only a few publications addressing the response and function of human innate cells to toxoplasma and their mode of recognition of the parasite.…”

Genetic Polymorphisms in Cytokine Genes in Colombian Patients with Ocular Toxoplasmosis

“…Those with positive IgG results underwent local ocular antibody production testing. In order to detect intraocular anti-Toxoplasma antibodies, the Goldmann-Witmer coefficient (GWC) was calculated as follows: (anti-Toxoplasma IgG in aqueous humor/total IgG in aqueous humor)/(anti-Toxoplasma IgG in serum/total IgG in serum) (8,82). The specific anti-Toxoplasma IgG antibody titers in aqueous humor samples were determined by an ELISA as described previously (83).…”