Tregs in the immune response of BALB/c mice experimentally infected with species of the Sporothrix genus.

Background: Sporotrichosis occurs through contact with contaminated soil and plant. However, the incidence of sporotrichosis as a zoonotic epidemic has increased, particularly in Rio de Janeiro. Aim: In this work, we decided to evaluate some T-cell phenotypes involved in the immune response. Materials & methods: We used flow cytometry to quantify TCD4 ⁺ and TCD8 ⁺ and Treg from immunocompetent and immunosuppressed mice infected with Sporothrix species with different levels of virulence and pathogenicity. Results: It was demonstrated the predominance of TCD4 ⁺ over the TCD8 ⁺ cells in both groups, inoculated with all the species, and percentages of Treg observed in infected immunocompetent mice. Conclusion: This regulatory phenotype can be associated with a protective immunity in the initial periods of infection.