Interleukin 8 and interferon gamma in ocular toxoplasmosis

UNLABELLED: Toxoplasmosis is one of the most common parasitic infections in the world, it is caused by Toxoplasma gondii. The infection is typically asymptomatic or the symptoms are very mild. Approximately 10% patients have limphadenopathy, involvement of the others organs, like eyes, nervous system, liver, heart, are observed more rarely. PURPOSE: The aim of our study was to assess the level of selected cytokines in blood among patients with ocular toxoplasmosis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We have enrolled in the study 30 patients, 19-42 years old, treated for ocular toxoplasmosis, and 20 healthy volunteers, 20-48 years old, to the control group. Tests for blood morphology, C-reactive protein, the level of IL-8 and IFN-gamma were performed in all patients. The blood parameters in toxoplasmosis group were performed before antiparasitic treatment was given. RESULTS: The level of IFN-gamma in blood was lower among patients with ocular toxoplasmosis comparing with control group (1.52 vs. 4.18 pg/ml; p = 0.002). The level of IL-8 in blood was lower among patients with ocular toxoplasmosis comparing with control group (22.96 vs. 94.3 pg/ml; p = 0,007). There were no correlations between analyzed cytokines and blood morphology or CRP. CONCLUSIONS: The low level of IFN-gamma and IL-8 in blood is important factor leading to reactivation of the ocular toxoplasmosis.