Th1/Th2/Th17 pattern in pregnant mice inoculated with live Echinococcus granulosus Protoscolex

The immune response to Echinococcus granulosus s.l. hydatidosis in an intermediate host is complicated. A T-helper-2 response can support parasite establishment, which is exacerbated by the pregnancy, whereas a T-helper-1 response would be destructive for the parasite. Thus, the present study was aimed to investigate the effects of pregnancy on the serum levels of some cytokines during parasite inoculation. Twenty Balb/c mice were divided randomly into four groups including: A) control group, B) healthy pregnant, C) pregnant inoculated with granulosus s.l. protoscolices, and D) non-pregnant inoculated with protoscolices. Subsequently, the Serum concentrations of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interferon-γ (IFN-γ), interleukin -4 (IL-4) and interleukin -17 (IL-17) were determined during four weeks by ELISA method. At 7th-day post-infection (d.p.i), the levels of cytokines increased in all groups, but there were no significant differences between increased levels. At 14 d.p.i, the levels of cytokines were nearly similar to the first week, except for IFN-γ and TNF-α, which their levels were significantly higher in group D than the other groups (p < 0.05). At 21 d.p.i, the levels of IL-17, TNF-α, and IFN-γ cytokines were significantly higher in the D group than the others (p < 0/05), but IL-4level was significantly higher in the C group than the other group (p < 0/05). At 28 d.p.i. level of IL-4 was significantly higher in the C group than the others (p < 0/05). Considering that pregnancy can increase the level of cytokine related to Th2, it can effectively survive of the E. granulosus parasite.