Visceral Leishmania donovani infection in interleukin-13-/- mice

Leishmania donovani-infected interleukin-13(-/-) BALB/c mice showed impaired initial gamma interferon secretion and incomplete granuloma assembly at parasitized liver foci. Nonetheless, control of early parasite replication, resolution of liver infection, and responsiveness to antileishmanial chemotherapy were intact. By itself, interleukin-13 does not appear to materially influence acquired resistance in this intracellular infection.