Lepromatous leprosy treated with recombinant interferon gamma: cutaneous histologic changes.
We report on the histologic changes occurring in single cutaneous lesions, from six active lepromatous patients, 1 week following the administration of three daily intradermal injections, 35 micrograms each, of recombinant interferon gamma (rIFN-gamma). Except for a strong induration at the injection site, rIFN-gamma produced no adverse systemic reactions and was able to promote a remarkable influx of T-lymphocytes, mononuclear phagocytes with large nuclei, nonvacuolated cytoplasm, and reduced lysozyme reactivity. Furthermore, despite no clear-cut reduction of mycobacterial dermal burden, bacilli showed a clear increase in the granular appearance. Present findings provide a basis for further elucidation of rIFN-gamma as an additional tool for leprosy treatment.
Bottasso
O
O
División Inmunología, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de Rosario, Argentina.
Besuschio
S
S
Merlin
V
V
Morini
J C
JC
Bernabo
J
J
Falcoff
R
R
Falcoff
E
E
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001706:Biopsy; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015552:Injections, Intralesional; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015440:Leprosy, Lepromatous / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D012867:Skin / Q000473:pathology*; D013997:Time Factors
D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D007371:Interferon-gamma