Evaluation of IFN-g and TNF-a as immunological markers of clinical outcome in cutaneous leishmaniasis

To evaluate if IFN-g and TNF-a levels could be used as markers of therapeutic response in cutaneous leishmaniasis, 54 patients with history of one ulcerated cutaneous lesion, with up to 30 days onset, were enrolled in the study. IFN-gand TNF-a were measured by ELISA in lymphocyte cultures supernatant before and 60 days after initiating therapy. Cure was considered to be a complete healing of lesion 60 days after treatment. IFN-g and TNF-a levels were similar in both groups of patients before therapy. There was a tendency to increase IFN-g levels in patients that were cured in 60 days, however the values did not reach statistical significance. In both groups of patients, TNF-a levels were similar before therapy and fell significantly after treatment, irrespective of cure or maintenance of active lesion.