Tumor necrosis factor-α in human American tegumentary leishmaniasis

Memórias do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz

Alda Maria Da-cruz¹  Márcia Pereira De Oliveira¹  Paula Mello De Luca¹  Sergio Cf Mendonça¹  Sergio G Coutinho¹ 

[1] ,Instituto Oswaldo Cruz Departamento de Protozoologia Departamento de ProtozoologiaRio de Janeiro RJ ,Brasil

关键词: TNF-α;    cytokine;    tegumentary leishmaniasis;    Leishmania braziliensis;   

DOI  :  10.1590/S0074-02761996000200019

来源: SciELO

【 摘 要 】

Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) is a cytokine produced by activated macrophages and other cells. In order to verify whether the serum levels of TNF-α in American tegumentary leishmaniasis patients are associated with the process of cure or aggravation of the disease, 41 patients were studied: 26 cases of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) and 15 of mucocutaneous leishmaniasis (MCL). During active disease the serum levels of TNF-α of MCL patients were significantly higher than those of CL patients and control subjects (healthy individuals and cutaneous lesions from other etiologies). The MCL patients had serum titers of TNF-α significantly lower at the end of antimonial therapy than before therapy. After a six-month follow-up, the MCL patients had serum levels of TNF-α similar to those observed at the end of the therapy as well as to those of CL patients and control subjects. No significant variation in the serum levels of TNF-α was observed in CL patients throughout the study period (before, at the end of therapy and after a six-month follow-up). The possible relationship between the high TNF-α serum levels and severity of the disease is discussed.

【 授权许可】

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