A systemic downregulation of gamma interferon production is associated with acute shigellosis.

Production of cytokines by peripheral blood mononuclear cells from Shigella-infected patients was assessed. The frequencies of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), TNF-beta, and transforming growth factor beta mRNA-expressing cells were persistently upregulated during the course of shigellosis in comparison to those of healthy controls. In contrast, the frequency of gamma interferon (IFN-gamma) mRNA-expressing cells was significantly reduced during the acute stage compared to that during the convalescent stage and to that of healthy Bangladeshi controls (P < 0.01). Constitutive IFN-gamma production in Bangladeshi controls was significantly upregulated compared to that in Swedish controls.