[Interferon-alpha treatment of the Churg-Strauss syndrome].
METHODS
Two patients, 60 (pat. 1; female) and 30 years of age (pat. 2; male), respectively, suffering from a histologically confirmed Churg-Strauss-syndrome and receiving immunosuppressive therapy were treated with Interferon-alpha.


METHODS
Clinical complaints, disease activity, blood eosinophil counts, and lung function were monitored. In patient 1 the differential cell counts and immunocytology of bronchoalveolar lavage cells were assessed using flow cytometry.


METHODS
Both patients were treated with interferon-alpha in dosages of 3 million units of IFN-alpha 2b or an equivalent dosage of interferon-acon thrice weekly subcutaneously. The patients were observed for a period of up to 24 months. Interferon-alpha induced remission of disease and allowed discontinuation of oral glucocorticoid therapy in both patients. Treatment also improved the peripheral polyneuropathia in patient 1 as well as the hemorrhagic cystitis and reduction of the Cushing syndrome (weight reduction of 19 kg) in patient 2. In addition, blood eosinophil counts normalised. After 12 months of treatment, the number of bronchoalveolar eosinophils decreased from 61,5% (5.7 x 106 cells/ml) to 7% (1.1 x 106 cells/ml). In addition, the proportion of CD4+ T-lymphocytes and B-cells increased, while CD8+ T-cells and NK cells decreased (pat. 1).


CONCLUSIONS
Interferon-alpha may represent an effective alternative to the current treatment of Churg-Strauss syndrome consisting of corticosteroids and immunosuppressives.
Reissig
A
A
Pneumologie & Allergologie, Klinik Innere Medizin I, Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena. angelika.reissig@med.uni-jena.de
Förster
M
M
Mock
B
B
Schilder
C
C
Kroegel
C
C
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D000730:Androstadienes / Q000008:administration & dosage; D001992:Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid / Q000166:cytology; D002452:Cell Count; D015267:Churg-Strauss Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D000068298:Fluticasone; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D007279:Injections, Subcutaneous; D007370:Interferon Type I / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011239:Prednisolone / Q000008:administration & dosage; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000730:Androstadienes; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D007370:Interferon Type I; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; C050739:interferon alfacon-1; D011239:Prednisolone; D000068298:Fluticasone