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Lepromatous leprosy treated with recombinant interferon gamma: cutaneous histologic changes
O Bottasso1, S Besuschio, V Merlin
1División Inmunología, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de Rosario, Argentina.
Abstract:
We report on the histologic changes occurring in single cutaneous lesions, from six active lepromatous patients, 1 week following the administration of three daily intradermal injections, 35 micrograms each, of recombinant interferon gamma (rIFN-gamma). Except for a strong induration at the injection site, rIFN-gamma produced no adverse systemic reactions and was able to promote a remarkable influx of T-lymphocytes, mononuclear phagocytes with large nuclei, nonvacuolated cytoplasm, and reduced lysozyme reactivity. Furthermore, despite no clear-cut reduction of mycobacterial dermal burden, bacilli showed a clear increase in the granular appearance. Present findings provide a basis for further elucidation of rIFN-gamma as an additional tool for leprosy treatment.
Insights
Recombinant interferon gamma (rIFN-gamma) treatment in leprosy patients promoted immune cell influx and altered bacilli appearance. This suggests rIFN-gamma may be a valuable addition to leprosy treatment strategies.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Dermatology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Leprosy is a chronic infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae.
- Current treatments can be lengthy and face challenges with drug resistance.
- Interferon-gamma is a cytokine with known immunomodulatory and antimicrobial properties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the histologic effects of recombinant interferon gamma (rIFN-gamma) on cutaneous lesions in active lepromatous leprosy patients.
- To assess the safety and immune response elicited by intradermal rIFN-gamma injections.
- To evaluate changes in Mycobacterium leprae morphology and burden post-treatment.
Main Methods:
- Six patients with active lepromatous leprosy received three daily intradermal injections of 35 micrograms of rIFN-gamma.
- Histologic examination of skin lesions was performed one week after injections.
- Immune cell infiltration, morphology of mononuclear phagocytes, and bacillary appearance were analyzed.
Main Results:
- rIFN-gamma induced significant T-lymphocyte and mononuclear phagocyte infiltration at injection sites.
- Mononuclear phagocytes exhibited large nuclei, non-vacuolated cytoplasm, and reduced lysozyme reactivity.
- While bacillary burden did not significantly decrease, bacilli showed increased granularity, suggesting altered morphology.
- No significant adverse systemic reactions were observed, apart from local induration.
Conclusions:
- Intradermal rIFN-gamma effectively recruits immune cells to leprosy lesions.
- The observed changes in bacilli suggest a potential impact on their viability or structure.
- rIFN-gamma shows promise as an adjunctive therapy for leprosy, warranting further investigation.