Levamisole as an immunopotentiator for T cell deficiency.
Levamisole, a widely used antihelminthic drug has been shown to restore cutaneous delayed hypersensitivity in anergic patients with cancer and to amplify the activation of T lymphocytes by in vitro mitogens. Levamisole has been approved for the treatment of colon cancer in combination with 5 Fluorouracil. Herein we report a case of a 5 1/2 y.o. male who presented with a fulminant, disseminated mycobacterial infection of his joints secondary to a deficiency in his cellular mediated immunity in association with chemotherapy for a T cell leukemia. The patient was treated with Levamisole resulting in restoration of his T cell functions and resolution of his mycobacterial infection.
Taki
H N
HN
Department of Pediatrics, Medical College of Ohio, Toledo.
Schwartz
S A
SA
D001170:Arthritis, Infectious / Q000276:immunology; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015941:Complement Hemolytic Activity Assay; D006801:Humans; D007136:Immunoglobulins / Q000097:blood; D007153:Immunologic Deficiency Syndromes / Q000188:drug therapy*; D015458:Leukemia, T-Cell / Q000276:immunology; D007978:Levamisole / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D009163:Mycobacterium bovis; D016176:T-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000187:drug effects*; D014394:Tuberculosis, Osteoarticular / Q000276:immunology
D007136:Immunoglobulins; D007978:Levamisole