E-NTPDase and E-ADA activities in rats experimental infected by Cryptococcus neoformans

•Cryptococcus neoformans, is an opportunistic pathogen.•Purinergic system participates on the modulation of immune and inflammatory responses.•Extracellular nucleotides and nucleosides are controlled by ecto-enzymes.•Alterations in activity of E-NTPDase (lymphocytes) and E-ADA (serum and lymphocytes).•Activity of the NTPDase and E-ADA are involved in the pathogenesis of cryptococcosis. Cryptococcus neoformans, the etiological agent of cryptococcosis, is an opportunistic fungal pathogen of immunocompromised individuals. The aim of this study was to evaluate the activities of E-NTPDase and E-ADA in rats experimentally infected by C. neoformans var. grubii. Adult rats (35) were divided in two groups: 18 for the control group (uninfected) (A), and 17 for the infected group (B). Each group was separated into three sub-groups (A1, A2, A3—B1, B2, B3), and samples were collected on 10, 20, and 30 days post-infection (PI). Leukocyte counts, IFN-γ, TNF-α, IgM, IgG levels, and E-NTPDase and E-ADA activities were analyzed. It was possible to observe that IgG and IgM seric levels of infected rats were significantly elevated (P