Exploitation of parasite derived antigen in therapeutic success of human cutaneous leishmaniasis in Brazil.
In a complete study in 25 patients with American cutaneous leishmaniasis, caused by Leishmania braziliensis complex, immunotherapeutic efficacy of parasite derived antigen (94-67 KD) has been compared to antimonial therapy. Additionally, to delineate the mechanism of therapeutic success, microscopical features of immune response in active lesions and healed or non-healed lesions following therapy were analyzed. The results showed that cure rates in immunotherapy and chemotherapy were equal (> 83%). The immunohistochemical changes in two therapeutic groups were also largely similar. The analysis of humoral and cellular immune response suggest that appropriate stimulation of T helper cells in the lesion site, in association with one or more cytokines, play a key role in the healing process.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D000942:Antigens, Bacterial; D000953:Antigens, Protozoan / Q000276:immunology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001938:Brazil; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007167:Immunotherapy; D007892:Leishmania braziliensis / Q000276:immunology*; D016773:Leishmaniasis, Cutaneous / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy*; D008264:Macrophages / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology
D000942:Antigens, Bacterial; D000953:Antigens, Protozoan