Immune responses during the acute stages of infection with the intestinal trematode Echinostoma caproni

This study investigated the nature of the immune response of C55BL/6 mice infected with the trematode Echinostoma caproni. To determine the preferential development of either a Th1 or Th2 cytokine pattern during early stages of infection, cytokine production by spleen and mesenteric lymph node (MLN) cells during the first 3 weeks of infection was followed. Whereas spleen cells failed to respond to antigen stimulation, MLN cells produced IFN-gamma and to a lesser extent IL-4. IL-5 levels were elevated throughout the period studied. The humoral response was consistent with a Th1 cytokine pattern as antigen-specific IgG2a antibodies were preferentially developed. We investigated whether IFN-gamma is critical for establishment of E. caproni infection. Worm burden in infected mice treated with a single injection of anti-IFN-gamma mAb was significantly reduced compared to that of animals treated with a control antibody.