Abstract
Serum concentrations of soluble receptors for tumor necrosis factor (sTNFRs) were measured before and after antimony therapy in 25 Sudanese patients with active visceral leishmaniasis (VL). Both sTNFR types I and II were significantly elevated in patients with VL compared with healthy controls from the same region and from the Netherlands (P <.01). In all 23 patients who initially responded to therapy, both sTNFR types decreased sharply, reaching and remaining at levels similar to those found in normal controls; 2 relapsed after an initial response to therapy, and their sTNFR concentrations had increased at the time of relapse. The 2 patients who did not respond to therapy had persistently elevated sTNFR levels. Tumor necrosis factor was detectable in only 16% of patients with VL. Hence, the serum concentrations of sTNFRs may be useful for monitoring therapeutic efficacy in patients with VL
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 498-501 |
Journal | Journal of infectious diseases |
Volume | 171 |
Issue number | 2 |
DOIs |
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Publication status | Published - 1995 |