[Study of antiinfectious potential of recombinant tumor necrosis factor-alpha].

Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF) was shown to have an antiinfectious effect on murine and rat models of viral, bacterial and parasitic infections. The effective antiinfectious dose of TNF was determined to be 10(2)-10(3) U/kg body weight. TNF, interferon, and antibiotics were demonstrated to potentiate the antibacterial effect of each. Clinical trials of TNF in the treatment of slowly progressive, latent, and chronic infections and in the emergency prevention of acute infections are advisable.