[The use of a complex preparation of alpha-interferon and first-phase immune-response cytokines--leukinferon]

Cases of successful treatment of severe neurological complications, developing as a consequence of diphtheria intoxication, by injections of leukinferon, a new combined preparation of alpha-interferon and other cytokines of the first stage of immune response, are described. Toxico-allergic polyneuropathy with sensory, reflex, motor (tetraparesis) disturbances and the bulbar syndrome developed in males after nasopharyngeal diphtheria. For the first time effective and rapid therapy of the bulbar syndrome and other disturbances, developing in connection with the demyelinating toxico-allergic process, was shown to be possible due to the use of leukinferon in combination with other therapeutic measures. The preparation proved to be highly effective in the treatment given with a view to arrest the development of intercurrent infectious complications in severely ill, bedridden patients receiving prednisolone. Leukinferon produces a pronounced effect even in patients receiving massive doses of corticosteroids, thus making it possible to shortly abolish the use of these preparations.