Effect of levamisole on immunological parameters in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.
Parameters of cell-mediated and humoral immunity were examined in 8 patients with clinically inactive SLE undergoing levamisole treatment. Lymphocyte transformation with PHA and PMW was temporarily increased in the first month of therapy; at the same time absolute numbers of peripheral blood lymphocytes, T cells and B cells increased slightly. However, these differences were not significant statistically. In 1 patient with a diminished percentage of T cells and an increased percentage of B cells, levamisole induced normalization. Antibodies to DNA decreased in 6 patients, while titres of ANA decreased only in one patient. Serum levels of C1q and C3 increased in 7 and 3 patients, respectively. Four patients were treated with levamisole for 12 months, during which time there was neither clinical exacerbation nor deterioration of renal function and the concomitant corticosteroid therapy could be reduced.
D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear / Q000032:analysis; D003165:Complement System Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D004247:DNA / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D007978:Levamisole / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008934:Mitogens / Q000494:pharmacology
D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear; D008934:Mitogens; D007978:Levamisole; D003165:Complement System Proteins; D004247:DNA