Abstract
Cutaneous leishmaniasis is transmitted by the phlebotomus sandfly which injects the promastigate form of the parasite (Leishmania tropica major) into the skin. The organisms are taken up by the skin macrophages and wlthin these cells transform into amastigotes and a chronic mononuclear cell inflammatory response occurs. AI though T-cell lymphokines and interferons have been shown to be effective inducers of leishmaniacidal capacity of monocytes in vitro, it is unclear why the course of the inflammation is so prolonged tn vivo. Therefore, we have performed immunohistological analysis of the lesions in ten patients witn cutaneous leishmaniasis. Diagnosis was confirmed by appropriate clinical history and appearance, culture of parasites from the lesion and/or identification of amastigotes in a biopsy specimen of the lesion. Using the technique of either immunofluoresence with the OKT series of antibodies or immunoperoxidase staining with the Leu series of antibodies, we found that the T suppressor lymphocyte was the predominant cell in the mononuclear cell infiltrate (OKT3/Leul, 4 - 80 ± 7%;OKT4/Leu3a - 10 ± 8%; OKT8/Leu 2a - 57 ± 5%). These patients were not immunocompromised, had normal cellular immune functions and had developed specific cellular immunity to the infecting parasite, Leishmania tropica major (Stimulation index range 2.51 ± 0.42 to 5.03 ± 1.26; non-immune controls < 1). These findings support the contention that in patients with cutaneous leishmaniasis inappropriate sensitisation of T suppressor lymphocytes occurs, which may by inhibiting the positive inducer signals of T-holper lymphocytes account for the chronicity of these lesions.
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Huszar, M., Shor, R., Trau, H. et al. 1113 THE T-CELL PHENOTYPES IN THE SKIN LESION OF PATIENTS WITH CUTANEOUS LEISHMANIASIS. Pediatr Res 19, 296 (1985). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198504000-01143
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198504000-01143