title: Effects of intradermal gamma-interferon in cutaneous leishmaniasis.
abstract: The clinical and immunological evolution of lesions in cutaneous leishmaniasis was assessed after treatment with human recombinant gamma interferon (rIFN-gamma). 3 weeks after rIFN-gamma treatment of lesions due to Leishmania braziliensis guyanensis, 12/13 had become smaller compared with 6/13 control lesions; only 4 treated lesions were free of parasites. 9 of 13 L tropica lesions treated with rIFN-gamma resolved completely within 4-8 weeks of treatment. An acute inflammatory reaction around treated lesions was more common in lesions due to L tropica. There were no other local or systemic adverse reactions. Histological and immunohistochemical studies indicate that local application of rIFN-gamma enhances cell-mediated immune responses and thus promotes healing of cutaneous leishmaniasis.
authors.affiliation: Landesinstitut für Tropenmedizin, Berlin, Federal Republic of Germany.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Harms
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Zwingenberger
authors.forename: A K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Chéhadé
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Talhari
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Racz
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mouakeh
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Douba
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Näkel
authors.forename: R D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Naiff
authors.forename: P G
authors.initials: PG
authors.lastname: Kremsner
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000287:Administration, Topical; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan / Q000032:analysis; D001706:Biopsy; D001938:Brazil; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D005260:Female; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007111:Immunity, Cellular; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000032:analysis; D007279:Injections, Subcutaneous; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007892:Leishmania braziliensis / Q000276:immunology; D007896:Leishmaniasis / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2 / Q000032:analysis; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D012867:Skin / Q000473:pathology; D013593:Syria; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D007073:Immunoglobulin E; D007371:Interferon-gamma