Dynamics of the Cytokine Response toMycobacterium ulceransduring Antibiotic Treatment forM. ulceransDisease (Buruli Ulcer) in Humans

Abstract

We have studied the evolution of the gamma interferon (IFN-γ) and interleukin 10 (IL-10) responses afterMycobacterium ulceranssonicate stimulation of whole blood from patients with earlyM. ulceranslesions during treatment with rifampin and streptomycin for 8 weeks. Among the 26 patients, secretion of IFN-γ increased during treatment, with a significant increase at 4 weeks and a further increase after 8 weeks overall. The increase was more rapid in patients with large or ulcerative lesions, becoming significant by 4 weeks. For small lesions, there was only a minor increase, which did not reach significance. There was no significant change in the median IL-10 response during antibiotic therapy, and there was no inverse correlation between IFN-γ and IL-10 responses. These results demonstrate that an IFN-γ secretory response toM. ulceransdeveloped, independently of IL-10 secretion, in patients whoseM. ulceransdisease healed during antibiotic therapy.