[Immune response in Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia in rats].

OBJECTIVE

To study the inflammatory immune response to Pneumocystis canii pneumonia(PCP) in rats induced by glucocorticoid(GC).

METHODS

The model of PCP was set up by injecting GC subcutanously to SD rats. Lymphocyte proportion in peripheral blood, CD4+/CD8+ T cell ratio of PBL and lymphocyte proportion in the BALF were measured. The levels of sIL-2R and TNF-alpha in the BALF were detected.

RESULTS

1. After the rats were immunospressed, the lymphocyte proportion in the peripheral blood and CD4+/CD8+ ratio of PBL, and the lymphocyte proportion in the BALF were decreased, and the levels of sIL-2R, TNF-alpha in BALF were reduced. 2. The lowest levels of TNF-alpha in BALF and CD4+/CD8+ T cells of PBL were observed in PCP group; 3. The lymphocyte proportion in the BALF was significantly higher in PCP group than in PC negative group.

CONCLUSION

The reduction in the level of TNF-alpha and CD4+/CD8+ T cell ratio in rats treated with GC might result in PCP infection under immunosuppressive condition.