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.
BT - The International journal of artificial organs C1 - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/3733245?dopt=Abstract DA - 1986 May IS - 3 J2 - Int J Artif Organs LA - eng N2 -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.
PY - 1986 SP - 183 EP - 8 T2 - The International journal of artificial organs TI - Plasma exchange in severe erythema nodosum leprosum. VL - 9 SN - 0391-3988 ER -