PRO-INFLAMMATORY CYTOKINE PRODUCTION IN CHAGASIC MOTHERS AND THEIR UNINFECTED NEWBORNS

Abstract The levels of IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-10, and TGF-β1 cytokines associated with Trypanosoma cruzi during pregnancy were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in serum samples from peripheral, placental, and cord blood of chronic infected mothers with detectable and undetectable parasitemia, and in their uninfected newborns. Compared to uninfected pregnant women and mothers with undetectable parasitemia, the concentrations of IFN-γ were higher at the 3 sites in mothers with detectable parasitemia. In these mothers and their newborns, the TNF-α concentrations were higher in the periphery and cord in comparison to serum samples from non-chagasic pregnant women. TNF-α levels were higher in newborns of mothers with detectable parasitemia than in newborns of mothers with undetectable parasitemia. IL-10 and TGF-β1 levels at the 3 sites were unchanged and diminished, respectively, in samples from infected mothers with patent parasitemia in comparison with uninfected pregnant women. Cytokine con...