Immunohistochemical Analysis of Cellular Infiltrate and Gamma Interferon, Interleukin-12, and Inducible Nitric Oxide Synthase Expression in Leprosy Type 1 (Reversal) Reactions before and during Prednisolone Treatment

Abstract

The effects of prednisolone treatment on the cellularity and cytokine (gamma interferon, interleukin-12, and inducible nitric oxide synthase) profiles of leprosy skin type 1 (reversal) reactions were studied using immunohistochemistry. Skin biopsies were taken from 15 patients with leprosy type 1 (reversal) reactions at days 0, 7, 28, and 180 after the start of steroid treatment. Prednisolone treatment had little effect at day 7, but by day 28 significant decreases were found in cytokine levels. Some patients maintained cytokine production at days 28 and 180. These results illustrate the strong Th1 profile of type 1 reactional lesions, the slow response to steroid therapy, and continuing activity at 180 days.

Study of the profile of the neurotrophin BDNF in new leprosy cases before, during and after multidrug therapy

“…The subclinical loss of nerve function, both sensory and mixed, is largely described in the literature, but there is a great need of search for reliable markers in early diagnosis and follow-up [25][26][27][28] . Previous studies have investigated the value of different approaches such as systematic clinical evaluation of nerve function, electrophysiology and immunohistochemistry [25][26][27] .…”

“…Previous studies have investigated the value of different approaches such as systematic clinical evaluation of nerve function, electrophysiology and immunohistochemistry [25][26][27] . Clinical examination using the Semmes-Weinstein monofilament shows great sensitivity and specificity in nerve monitoring 27 .…”

Leprosy type 1 reactions and erythema nodosum leprosum

“…19 T1Rs appear to be mediated via Th1 lymphocytes and cells from reactional lesions express the pro-inflammatory cytokines interferon gamma (IFN-γ), interleukin 12 (IL-12) and the oxygen free radical producer inducible nitric oxide synthase. 20 …”

Características epidemiológicas e clínicas das reações hansênicas em indivíduos paucibacilares e multibacilares, atendidos em dois centros de referência para hanseníase, na Cidade de Recife, Estado de Pernambuco

“…As reações hansênicas refletem fenômeno de hipersensibilidade aguda diante dos antígenos do Mycobacterium leprae 4 e decorrem de processo imunológico acompanhado de aumento de citocinas pró-inflamatórias, principalmente IFN-γ, IL-12, IL-1, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, entre outras 5,6 , além de imunocomplexos 7 .…”