Thalidomide in the treatment of leprosy

Authors :: Teo, Steve K.
Resztak, Ken E.
Scheffler, Michael A.
Kook, Karin A.
Zeldis, Jerry B.
Stirling, David I.
Thomas, Steve D.
Source :: Microbes & Infection. Sep2002, Vol. 4 Issue 11, p1193. 10p.
Publication Year :: 2002
Abstract: Leprosy is a chronic infection of the skin and nerves caused by Mycobacterium leprae. Erythema nodosum leprosum (ENL) is a reactive state in lepromatous leprosy. Thalidomide has been used to treat ENL since the 1960s. One of its mechanisms of action is anti-inflammatory through selective inhibition of the pro-inflammatory cytokine TNF-α produced by monocytes. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]