02340nas a2200349   4500000000100000008004100001260001700042653001000059653000900069653002100078653001100099653001100110653001200121653000900133653001600142653001900158653002600177653002200203100001300225700001700238700001400255700001500269700001400284700001600298700001400314245008900328300001100417490000700428050003200435520150900467022001401976       2000                            d  c2000 Oct-Dec10aAdult10aAged10aErythema Nodosum10aFemale10aHumans10aleprosy10aMale10aMiddle Aged10aPentoxifylline10aRetrospective Studies10aTreatment Outcome1 aNery J A1 aPerissé A R1 aSales A M1 aVieira L M1 aSouza R V1 aSampaio E P1 aSarno E N00aThe use of pentoxifylline in the treatment of type 2 reactional episodes in leprosy.  a457-670 v72  aInfolep Library - available3 a<p>It has been suggested that erythma nodosum leprosum (ENL) is associated with enhanced production of TNF-alpha resulting in increased inflammation of the skin and nerve function impairment. Thalidomide and steroids are the major drugs used in the treatment of ENL, but due to the serious problems associated with their use, alternative therapeutic interventions are being considered. In the present retrospective study, the authors report their clinical observations on the effect of pentoxifylline (PTX) in the treatment of ENL. Parameters, such as the clinical involution of reactional lesions, the regression of the inflammatory symptoms associated with the lesions, and the impact on the systemic symptoms common to ENL were assessed at regular intervals during PTX therapy. It was found that PTX therapy led to total elimination of systemic symptoms within the first week of treatment. This improvement was maintained until the end of the study (60 days of treatment). Moreover, the evolution of nodular lesions showed a 100% improvement within the first 14 days of treatment. However, by the 60th day, worsening of the lesions was noted in 20% of the cases. The impression is that PTX is well tolerated, and it may be used for improving patient's clinical condition during ENL reaction. Nevertheless, a randomized, double blind, controlled trial to compare the effects of the widely-accepted thalidomide and the yet untested pentoxifylline for treatment of type 2 reaction is still necessary.</p>  a0254-9395