Combined Interleukin‐12 and Topical Chemotherapy for Established Leishmaniasis Drastically Reduces Tissue Parasitism and Relapses in Susceptible Mice

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Abstract
The efficacy of the association of paromomycin sulfate (PA) with recombinant (r) interleukin (IL)–12 was investigated by topical treatment of BALB/c mice infected with Leishmania major that displayed fully developed cutaneous lesions. Although healing was observed in PA-treated groups, lesions recurred in 100% of these animals 70 days after treatment. In contrast, lesions were absent in a high proportion of PA- and rIL-12–treated mice 120 days after treatment. The PA/rIL-12–treated mice had a switch in cytokine response, from high IL-4 and low interferon (IFN)–γ levels to low IL-4 and high IFN-γ levels, and reductions in parasite load, dissemination of parasites, and inflammation. Thus, the association of rIL-12 to topical chemotherapy for leishmaniasis may be an important strategy for increasing cure rates and decreasing the incidence of relapse

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