The treatment with levamisole of frequently recurring steroid-sensitive idiopathic nephrotic syndrome in children

Deutsche medizinische Wochenschrift
M J KemperD E Müller-Wiefel

Abstract

The treatment of frequently relapsing steroid-sensitive nephrotic syndrome in children with established immunosuppressive drugs (steroids, cyclophosphamide, cyclosporin A) sometimes presents problems because of the expected incidence of side effects. Stimulation of the immune system with the anthelminthic drug levamisole in this disease has been documented. Aim of this study was to assess in a prospective but uncontrolled series of observations its value and side effects. 25 patients (15 boys, ten girls; median age 10 [3.5-22] years) were given levamisole, 2 mg/kg/48 h. Before this treatment was started eight of the children/adolescents (32%) had frequent relapses and 17 (68%) had become steroid-dependent. Treatment was started during steroid-induced remission and continued for 3-24 (median 6) month, while steroids were discontinued after four weeks. Relapse frequency per patient month was reduced from a mean of 0.5 (0.33-0.83) before to 0.31 (0-0.67) during levamisole administration (P < 0.001). In 12 patients (48%) no or considerably fewer relapses were observed. Patients with exclusively frequent relapses responded to levamisole better than those with steroid dependence (7/8 [87.5%] vs. 5/18 [27.7%], P = 0.01). Side effects ...Continue Reading

Citations

Sep 21, 2004·Pediatric Nephrology : Journal of the International Pediatric Nephrology Association·J C Davin, M P Merkus
Jun 1, 2012·Kidney International Supplements
Oct 14, 2005·Pediatric Nephrology : Journal of the International Pediatric Nephrology Association·K Al-SaranM Abdelkarim
Oct 12, 2012·Pediatric Nephrology : Journal of the International Pediatric Nephrology Association·Rebecca M LombelUNKNOWN Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes
Mar 3, 2004·Nephrology, Dialysis, Transplantation : Official Publication of the European Dialysis and Transplant Association - European Renal Association·Markus J KemperThomas J Neuhaus
Jul 1, 2010·Expert Review of Clinical Pharmacology·Jun Oh, Markus J Kemper
Jun 7, 2021·Pediatric Nephrology : Journal of the International Pediatric Nephrology Association·Rasmus EhrenUNKNOWN German Society for Pediatric Nephrology

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