The role of interferon-gamma in the treatment of visceral and diffuse cutaneous leishmaniasis.

Abstract

Traditionally, the mainstay of visceral and diffuse cutaneous leishmaniasis therapy has been pentavalent antimony, with pentamidine and amphotericin B reserved for refractory cases. Interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) in combination with pentavalent antimony has been used successfully in treating patients refractory to pentavalent antimony and in patients with previously untreated visceral leishmaniasis (39 total). In addition, 6 patients with diffuse cutaneous leishmaniasis have been treated with combination IFN-gamma and antimony therapy. Preliminary experience with these patients indicates that IFN-gamma is a useful adjunct therapy for severe or refractory cases of visceral leishmaniasis; however, the potential of IFN-gamma in treating diffuse cutaneous leishmaniasis cannot be assessed as current clinical experience is too limited.

• Authors: R Badaro, W D Johnson Jr
• Journal: The Journal of infectious diseases (J Infect Dis) Vol. 167 Suppl 1 Pg. S13-7 (Mar 1993) ISSN: 0022-1899 [Print] United States
• PMID: 8433014 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S., Review)

Chemical References

• Interferon-gamma
• Antimony

Topics

• Antimony (therapeutic use)
• Humans
• Interferon-gamma (therapeutic use)
• Leishmaniasis, Diffuse Cutaneous (immunology, therapy)
• Leishmaniasis, Visceral (immunology, therapy)