MMP9 and infection: The present study revealed highly statistically significant differences (P < 0.001) between TNF-α and MMP9 levels as the number of parasites infected increased, starting from single infections (33.94 ± 1.19 and 0.82 ± 0.02), double infections (48.42 ± 1.56 and 1.18 ± 0.11), and triple or more parasites (47.80 ± 0.47 and 1.4 ± 0.01).