Release of granzymes and chemokines in Thai patients with leptospirosis.
De Fost M., Chierakul W., Limpaiboon R., Dondorp A., White NJ., van Der Poll T.
The plasma concentrations of granzymes are considered to reflect the involvement of cytotoxic T-cells and natural killer cells in various disease states. Interferon (IFN)-gamma-inducible protein-10 (IP-10) and monokine induced by IFN-gamma (Mig) are members of the non-ELR CXC chemokine family that act on T-cells and natural killer cells. This study revealed that the plasma concentrations of granzyme B (but not granzyme A), IP-10 and Mig were higher in 44 Thai patients with definite or possible leptospirosis than in healthy blood donors. These data suggest that activation of cell-mediated immunity is part of the early host response to leptospirosis.