IL-10^−/− mice develop a less severe PCM associated with increased cellular immunity that results in decreased mortality rates.

<p>(A) IL-10^−/− and WT mice were inoculated with 1×10⁶<i>P. brasiliensis</i> yeast cells by the i.t. route, and severity of infection was evaluated by determining fungal loads in the lungs, livers and spleens at five post-infection periods (2, 4, 8, 16 and 23 weeks). The bars depict means ± SEM of the numbers of log₁₀ CFU obtained from groups of 6 to 8 mice. The results are representative of 3 experiments. ** <i>p</i><0.01, and *** <i>p</i><0.001, compared with WT controls. (B) Survival of IL-10^−/− and WT control mice after i.t. infection with 1×10⁶<i>P. brasiliensis</i> yeast cells was determined for a period of 220 days. Results are representative of two independent experiments (n = 12; * <i>p</i><0.05). (C) DTH responses mounted by <i>P. brasiliensis</i> infected mice. Control and infected WT and IL-10^−/− mice were injected intrafootpad with soluble <i>P. brasiliensis</i> yeast antigen (5 µg in 25 µl PBS) 24 hours before measurement of the footpad response at weeks 4 and 8 after fungal infection. Results are representative of two independent experiments. The bars depict means ± SEM of footpad swelling (* <i>p</i><0.05; ** <i>p</i><0.01; n = 6–8 mice).