Cytokines and lymphocyte proliferation in patients with different clinical forms of chromoblastomycosis

The host defense mechanism in chromoblastomycosis has not been extensively investigated. Some studies have focused on fungus-host interaction, showing a predominantly cellular immune response, with the activation of macrophages involved in fungus phagocytosis. Although phagocytosis did occur, death of fungal cells was rarely observed. The ability of Fonsecaea pedrosoi to produce secreted or cell wall-associated melanin-like components, protects against destruction by host immune cells in vitro. Until now, the T cell immune response in chromoblastomycosis is undefined. In the present work, it was shown that, in patients with the severe form of the disease, predominant production of IL-10 cytokine, low levels of IFN-γ and inefficient T cell proliferation were induced. In contrast, in patients with a mild form of the disease, predominant production of IFN-γ cytokine, low levels of IL-10 and efficient T cell proliferation were observed.