High levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines in cutaneous leishmaniasis patients are associated with tissue damage and ulcer development. We found higher levels of TNF and IL-1β in peripheral blood mononuclear cell supernatants in response to soluble Leishmania antigen in individuals with a longer duration of disease. In addition, Leishmania braziliensis-infected patients with a longer disease progression before treatment presented a shorter time to cure after treatment onset. No associations were found between the levels of the pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-6, TNF and IL-1-β and patients’ response to pentavalent antimony treatment. Our data suggest that while the Leishmania antigen-specific pro-inflammatory cytokines investigated may lead to ulcer development, they do not influence therapeutic failure in cutaneous leishmaniasis patients.

皮肤利什曼病患者中高水平的促炎细胞因子与组织损伤和溃疡发展有关。我们发现在疾病持续时间较长的个体中，外周血单核细胞上清液中的 TNF 和 IL-1β 水平更高，以响应可溶性利什曼原虫抗原。此外，治疗前疾病进展较长的巴西利什曼原虫感染患者在治疗开始后的治愈时间较短。未发现促炎细胞因子 IL-6、TNF 和 IL-1-β 水平与患者对五价锑治疗的反应之间存在关联。我们的数据表明，虽然利什曼原虫研究的抗原特异性促炎细胞因子可能导致溃疡发展，它们不影响皮肤利什曼病患者的治疗失败。