Side effects include fever, nausea, diarrhea, photosensitivity, skin rash and neutropenia. Desensitization to the drug is often possible using slowly increasing dosages. Trimetrexate can cause severe bone marrow toxicity, and is typically used in conjunction with leucovorin to protect against anemia. T-suppressor cells helps to regulate and control immune system activity by inhibiting antibody production and CTL activity. See PPD test.
Transmission generally occurs through inhalation of aerosolized sputum droplets.
A combination of 4 chemotherapeutic drugs is standard therapy. TNF-alpha may block the production of enzymes that digest fats, leading to the breakdown of muscle tissue. In laboratory tests TNF-alpha has been shown to stimulate HIV replication.