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Eosinophilic pustular folliculitis effectively treated with recombinant interferon-gamma: suppression of mRNA expression of interleukin 5 in peripheral blood mononuclear cells.

Abstract
Eosinophilic pustular folliculitis (EPF) is characterized clinically by pruritic grouped follicular papules and pustules on the trunk, limbs, and face, and, histologically, by follicular infiltration with eosinophils. The blood eosinophil count is elevated in most patients. Oral minocycline, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, diaminodiphenylsulphone, and corticosteroids may induce remission. We report two Japanese men with EPF who responded poorly to the usual therapy. Intravenous injections of recombinant interferon-gamma (rIFN-gamma), 5 x 10(5) to 2 x 10(6) Japan Reference Unit (JRU) (1 JRU roughly corresponds to 4 NIH units) daily for 7 days, cleared the skin lesions and returned the peripheral eosinophil counts to normal in both patients. However, the lesions recurred 2-3 days after rIFN-gamma was stopped. Both patients have received intravenous rIFN-gamma once or twice a week for nearly 1 year without systemic side-effects. Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction revealed a decreased expression of interleukin 5 (IL-5) mRNA in peripheral mononuclear cells after the rIFN-gamma therapy. rIFN-gamma may become the treatment of choice in recalcitrant EPF, although further studies are needed. It may work by interfering with the immunological function of type 2 T-helper cells, including IL-5 production responsible for the growth and differentiation of eosinophils.
AuthorsM Fushimi, Y Tokura, Y Sachi, H Hashizume, H Sudo, H Wakita, F Furukawa, M Takigawa
JournalThe British journal of dermatology (Br J Dermatol) Vol. 134 Issue 4 Pg. 766-72 (Apr 1996) ISSN: 0007-0963 [Print] England
PMID8733389 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)
Chemical References
  • Interleukin-5
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Interferon-gamma
Topics
  • Adult
  • Base Sequence
  • Eosinophilia (immunology, pathology, therapy)
  • Folliculitis (immunology, pathology, therapy)
  • Humans
  • Interferon-gamma (therapeutic use)
  • Interleukin-5 (biosynthesis, genetics)
  • Leukocytes, Mononuclear (immunology)
  • Male
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • RNA, Messenger (genetics)
  • Recombinant Proteins

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