Tumour necrosis factor (TNF-alpha) in zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis

Generally speaking, the cell mediated immunity plays a pivotal role in the host resistance against the protozoal parasite Leishmania species. On the other hand, TNF-a (Cachectin) is a protein produced mainly by macrophages, with wide range of biological activities and may be important in inflammatory processes. Also, it plays the important role in some infectious diseases. In the present study, TNF-alpha was measured in the sera of 30 parasitologically proved zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis (ZCL). Serum TNF-alpha was elevated in 4/30 (13.3%) of the patients. However, it was not elevated in 26/30 of the patients as well as in 15 normal control. It was concluded that the TNF-alpha did not correlate with the number, site and/or duration of the lesion (s), but with high serum level of indirect haemagglutination tests associated with the severity of ZCL.