Abstract
Treatment with human leukocyte interferon (IF) was initiated in Dec.′78 in a child (age 20 mo) with dysganmaglobulinemia type I (hyper M) and postnatally acquired CMV infection. History included pneumonias (CMV & Pn. carinii) at 5 and 8 mo, and onset of recurrent episodes of high fevers, rash, lymphadenopathy, severe oral ulcerations, and neutropenia at 1 yr age. Urine and salivary cultures repeatedly grew CMV, and inclusion bodies were present in a salivary gland biopsy. Functions of phagocytic, T, B and natural killer (NK) cells were severely depressed;NK activity could be augmented in vitro with IF. Levels of serum thymic hormones were very low. Altogether, 4 courses of IF were given (dosages varied from 2 million u/day to 1 million u 3 times/week)for periods of 10d, 28d, 80d, and 55d until Sept.′79. Plasma with high titer CMV antibody was given every 3 weeks. During IF treatment, NK normalized; excretion of CMV ceased but recurred on occasions between IF cycles. Because of severe oral and oesophageal ulcers a trial of Levamisole was initiated in Sept.′79 and a feeding gastrostomy was inserted in Dec.′79. Plasma therapy was continued throughout. Recovery of clinical and immunologic abnormalities followed. At age 3½ yr the patient has an esophageal stricture but otherwise is completely well with no recurrence of CMV. IF appears to be a useful therapeutic modality for chronic viral infection in certain inmunodeficient children.
Article PDF
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Pahwa, S., Kirkpatrick, P., Ching, C. et al. 955 TREATMENT OF CHRONIC CYTOMEGALOVIRUS INFECTION WITH INTERFERON. Pediatr Res 15 (Suppl 4), 601 (1981). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198104001-00980
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198104001-00980