Skip to main content
Log in

Use of Levamisole in Viral Infections

  • Evaluations on New Drug
  • Published:
Drugs Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Summary

Recrudescent herpes simplex infections and common warts are associated with evidence of immune depression. It was hoped that levamisole, a drug with immunomodulatory effects, would be helpful in both prophylaxis and therapy of these diseases. Despite enthusiasm from ‘pilot’ studies, properly carried out trials showed no benefit from levamisole as compared with a placebo. There is no good evidence for its efficacy in any other viral infection, but proper studies are still lacking.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Bierman, S.M.: Double blind crossover study of levamisole as immunoprophylaxis for recurrent herpes progenitalis. Cutis 21: 352–354 (1978).

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • De Cree, J.; Verhaegen, H.; de Cock, W. and Brugmans, J.: The effect of levamisole on the immunologic response of HB antigen positive patients. Digestion 10: 306 (1974).

    Google Scholar 

  • Fischer, G.W.; Balk, M.W.; Crumrine, M.H. and Bass, J.W.: Immunopotentiation and antiviral chemotherapy in a suckling rat model of herpes virus encephalitis. Journal of Infectious Diseases 133 (Suppl. A): 217–220 (1976).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Friedlander, M.H.; Smolin, G. and Okumoto, M.: The treatment of herpetic reinfection with levamisole. American Journal of Ophthalmology 86: 245–249 (1978).

    Google Scholar 

  • Haahr, S.; Rasmussen, L. and Merigan, T.C.: Lymphocyte transformation and interferon production in human mononuclear cell microcultures for assay for cellular immunity to herpes simplex virus. Infection and Immunity 14: 47–54 (1976).

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Helin, P. and Bergh, M.: Levamisole for warts. New England Journal of Medicine 291: 1311 (1974).

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kaufman, H.E. and Varnall, E.D.: Lack of levamisole effect on experimental herpes keratitis. Investigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science 16: 1148–1150 (1977).

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kint, A. and Verlinden, L.: Levamisole for recurrent herpes labialis. New England Journal of Medicine 291: 309 (1974).

    Google Scholar 

  • Lee, A.K.Y. and Eisinger, M.: Cell mediated immunity (CMI) to human wart virus and wart associated tissue antigens. Clinical and Experimental Immunology 26: 419–424 (1976).

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mehr, L. and Albana, L.: Failure of levamisole in herpes simplex. Lancet 2: 773–774 (1977).

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Morison, W.L.: Cell mediated immune responses in patients with warts. British Journal of Dermatology 93: 553–556 (1975).

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • O’Reilly, R.J.; Chibbaro, A.; Auger, E. and Lopez, C: Cell mediated immune responses in patients with recurrent herpes simplex infections. II. Infection associated deficiency of lymphokine production in patients with recurrent herpes labialis or herpes progenitalis. Journal of Immunology 118: 1095–1102 (1977a).

    Google Scholar 

  • O’Reilly, R.J.; Chibbaro, A.; Wilnot, R. and Lopez, C.: Correlation of clinical and virus specific immune responses following levamisole therapy of recurrent herpes progenitalis. Annals of the New York Academy of Science 284: 161 (1977b).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Par, A.; Barna, K.; Hollos, I.; Kovacs, M.; Miszlai, Zs.; Patakfalvi, A. and Javor, T.: Levamisole in viral hepatitis. Lancet 1: 702 (1977).

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Pazin, G.J.; Armstrong, J.A.; Lam, MX; Tarr, G.C.; Jannetta, P.J. and Ho, M.: Prevention of reactivated herpes simplex infection by human leucocyte interferon after operation on the trigeminal root. New England Journal of Medicine 301: 225–230 (1979).

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Russell, A.S.; Brisson, E. and Grace, M.: A double-blind, controlled trial of levamisole in the treatment of recurrent herpes labialis. Journal of Infectious Diseases 137: 597–600 (1978).

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Schov, M. and Helin, P.: Levamisole in a double blind study. No effect in warts. Acta Dermato-venereologica 57: 449–454 (1977).

    Google Scholar 

  • Stevens, J.G.: Latent herpes simplex virus and the nervous system. Current Topics in Microbiology and Immunology 70: 31–50 (1975).

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Van Eygen, M.; Znamensky, P.Y.; Heck, E. and Raymaekers, I.: Levamisole in prevention of recurrent upper-respiratory tract infections in children. Lancet 1: 382–385 (1976).

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Whitley, R.J.; Soong, S.-J.; Dolin, R.; Galasso, G.J.; Ch’ien, L.T.; Alford, C.A. and Collaborative Study Group: Adenine arabinoside therapy of biopsy-proved herpes simplex encephalitis. New England Journal of Medicine 297: 289–294 (1977).

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Russell, A.S. Use of Levamisole in Viral Infections. Drugs 20, 117–121 (1980). https://doi.org/10.2165/00003495-198020020-00004

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.2165/00003495-198020020-00004

Keywords

Navigation