Immunochemotherapy of visceral leishmaniasis: a pilot trial of sequential treatment with recombinant interferon-gamma and pentavalent antimony.

The clinical, parasitological, hematological, and serological evolution of visceral leishmaniasis in Brazilian patients was assessed during treatment with human recombinant interferon-gamma (rIFN-gamma; 0.1 mg/m2 i.m. days 1-14) followed by pentavalent antimony (Sbv; 10 mg/kg days 22-28). At day 30, 6 patients had improved, 2 had slightly improved, and 1 patient had deteriorated. IFN-gamma was well tolerated in the dose tested and may be very effective as an adjunct to conventional therapy with antimony.