Interleukin 2 production in patients with Chagas' disease: correlation with anti-parasite antibody responses.

Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) isolated from chronic chagasic patients and control individuals in Recife, Brazil were examined for the ability to produce IL-2 in response to concanavalin A (Con A) stimulation. Overall, there was little difference in the range of the response (IL-2 production) between the chagasic and control groups. Within the chagasic group, however, there was a high negative correlation between IL-2 production and the level of anti-parasite antibody. This correlation is thought to be a reflection of the fact that individuals with more recent or more vigorous infections exhibit higher anti-parasite antibody responses but also display a greater degree of immunosuppression, as reflected in depressed IL-2 production.