At VL diagnosis, co-infected patients showed higher serum levels of interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) than matched HIV-1 controls without VL, and lower serum concentrations of IL-10 than non-immunocompromised VL controls.
These results indicate the production of IL-10 during L. donovani infection, and suggest a role for this cytokine in the regulation of immune responsiveness during visceral leishmaniasis.
Transcript levels of IL-10 as well as IFN-gamma were significantly elevated in patients with active visceral leishmaniasis; IL-10 levels decreased markedly with resolution of disease.