Suppression of lymphocyte proliferative responses by sera from patients with American visceral leishmaniasis
Barral, A.; Carvalho, E.M.; Badaró, R.; Barral-Netto, M.
American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene 35(4): 735-742
1986
ISSN/ISBN: 0002-9637 PMID: 3728795 Document Number: 281025
We examined the effect of sera from 11 patients with American visceral leishmaniasis on mitogen-driven lymphocyte proliferative capacity. All sera inhibited lymphocyte proliferation of patients' peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) when stimulated by either phytohemagglutinin, Concanavalin A or pokeweed mitogen. Serum was also strongly inhibitory for Concanavalin A-pulsed normal volunteers' PMBC. The effect of the serum was not due to cytotoxicity, inadequate nutritional support or altered kinetics of DNA synthesis. High levels of IgM or IgG (both total and antiparasite) and high levels of triglycerides were found in patients' sera.