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Treatment of atypical leishmaniasis with interferon γ resulting in progression of Kaposi's sarcoma in an AIDS patient

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Abstract

Visceral leishmaniasis (kala-azar) affecting HIV-infected patient is being reported in increasing frequency. A 40-year-old German bisexual patient with full-blown AIDS is described who presented with Kaposi's sarcoma, epigastric pain, diarrhea, and weight loss but without fever.Leishmania amastigotes were initially found in biopsies from stomach, duodenum, and a cutaneous Kaposi's sarcoma lesion but were later also recovered from bone marrow and lymph node. The patient received three courses of a combination of pentavalent antimony and interferon-γ. In addition to the common side effects such as fever, thrombocytopenia, and elevated amylase and lipase, a vivid progression of the Kaposi's sarcoma was noted. Tumor progression was temporally closely associated with treatment with interferon-γ. Because this phenomemon has also been observed in other patients, we advise caution when using interferon-γ in patients with Kaposi's sarcoma.

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Abbreviations

AIDS:

acquired immunodeficiency syndrome

HIV:

human immunodeficiency virus

KS:

Kaposi's sarcoma

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Medizinische Kernklinik und Poliklinik, Universitätskrankenhaus Eppendorf, Martinistrasse 52, D-20246, Hamburg, Germany

    H. Albrecht & H. -J. Stellbrink

  2. Abteilung für Dermatologie, Universitätskrankenhaus Eppendorf, Martinistrasse 52, D-20246, Hamburg, Germany

    G. Gross, B. Berg & H. Mensing

  3. Institut für Pathologie, Universitätskrankenhaus Eppendorf, Martinistrasse 52, D-20246, Hamburg, Germany

    U. Helmchen

Authors
  1. H. Albrecht
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  2. H. -J. Stellbrink
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  3. G. Gross
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  4. B. Berg
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  5. U. Helmchen
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  6. H. Mensing
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Correspondence to: H. Albrecht

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Albrecht, H., Stellbrink, H.J., Gross, G. et al. Treatment of atypical leishmaniasis with interferon γ resulting in progression of Kaposi's sarcoma in an AIDS patient. Clin Investig 72, 1041–1047 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00577752

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00577752

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