Abstract
Cytomegalovirus (CMV) was repeatedly isolated from urine and saliva of a 20-month-old male child with recurrent episodes of pneumonia, high fever, rash, lymphadenopathy, oral ulceration, and neutropenia. Immunologic evaluation revealed decreased serum IgG and IgA, increased IgM, depressed T- and B-lymphocyte functions, and decreased natural killer (NK) activity for herpes simplex-type I virus-infected targets. NK activity was augmented following exposure of the patient's lymphocytes to interferon (IF) in vitro. The child was treated with interferon (four courses, dosage varying from 2 million U/day to 1 million U three times/week for periods of 10, 28, 80, and 67 days, respectively, interspersed over 9 months) and hyperimmune plasma infusions every 3 weeks. Toward the end of interferon therapy oral Levamisole was started and a feeding gastrostomy was inserted to provide nutritional support. Clinical recovery was associated with reversal of immunologic abnormalities except for the hypogammaglobulinemia. Aggressive antiviral therapy (e.g., with IF) followed by immunostimulation (e.g., with Levamisole) may prove effective in controlling certain viral infections in immunodeficiency disorders.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
