01356nas a2200289   4500000000100000008004100001260001300042653001000055653000900065653002100074653001100095653001100106653001200117653000900129653001100138653002000149100001400169700001300183700001100196700001300207700001500220245005700235300001000292490000600302520074400308022001401052       1986                            d  c1986 May10aAdult10aAged10aErythema Nodosum10aFemale10aHumans10aleprosy10aMale10aPlasma10aPlasma Exchange1 aWallach D1 aBussel A1 aKoch P1 aPennec J1 aCottenot F00aPlasma exchange in severe erythema nodosum leprosum.  a183-80 v93 a<p>Four patients with severe erythema nodosum leprosum were treated by plasma exchange and/or fresh frozen plasma infusions after failure of classical therapy. After the procedures, the patients improved rapidly; with a follow-up between 4 and 7 years after the last plasma exchange, no clinical relapse was noted. The replacement fluids were variable; the most beneficial procedure seemed to be plasma exchange replaced with fresh frozen plasma. Elimination of circulating immune complexes, replacement of a lacking plasma factor are possible mechanisms of action. Plasma exchange may also work like a regulator of immune mechanisms, since it has been shown that there is a depression of suppressor cells in erythema nodosum leprosum.</p>  a0391-3988