The role of interferon-gamma in the treatment of visceral and diffuse cutaneous leishmaniasis.
Traditionally, the mainstay of visceral and diffuse cutaneous leishmaniasis therapy has been pentavalent antimony, with pentamidine and amphotericin B reserved for refractory cases. Interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) in combination with pentavalent antimony has been used successfully in treating patients refractory to pentavalent antimony and in patients with previously untreated visceral leishmaniasis (39 total). In addition, 6 patients with diffuse cutaneous leishmaniasis have been treated with combination IFN-gamma and antimony therapy. Preliminary experience with these patients indicates that IFN-gamma is a useful adjunct therapy for severe or refractory cases of visceral leishmaniasis; however, the potential of IFN-gamma in treating diffuse cutaneous leishmaniasis cannot be assessed as current clinical experience is too limited.
Badaro
R
R
Division of International Medicine, Cornell University Medical College, New York, New York.
Johnson
W D
WD
D000965:Antimony / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016774:Leishmaniasis, Diffuse Cutaneous / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy*; D007898:Leishmaniasis, Visceral / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy*
D007371:Interferon-gamma; D000965:Antimony