Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 9, 2026
12:36
Single-cell Analysis of Immunophenotype and Cytokine Production in Peripheral Whole Blood via Mass Cytometry
Published on: June 26, 2018
Circulating cytokine profiles in leprosy patients
Vasudha A Belgaumkar1, Neeta R Gokhale, Pradeep M Mahajan
1Department of Dermatology, B J Medical College & Sassoon General Hospitals, Pune, India. doc_vasudha@yahoo.co.in
Leprosy Review
|November 27, 2007
Summary
Cytokine levels like interferon gamma and interleukin 6 are elevated in leprosy patients. These cytokines correlate with disease severity and reactional episodes, aiding in leprosy classification and prognosis.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Infectious Diseases
- Dermatology
Background:
- Leprosy, caused by Mycobacterium leprae, presents a spectrum of clinical forms based on immune response.
- The tuberculoid form shows strong cell-mediated immunity, while the lepromatous form exhibits poor immunity with extensive bacterial load.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate serum levels of interferon gamma (INFgamma) and interleukin 6 (IL6) in leprosy patients.
- To correlate these cytokine levels with the leprosy spectrum and reactional episodes.
Main Methods:
- Serum cytokine levels (INFgamma, IL6) were measured in 100 untreated leprosy patients and 30 healthy controls.
- Cytokine levels were correlated with clinical leprosy forms and reactional states.
Main Results:
- Leprosy patients exhibited significantly higher mean cytokine levels than controls.
- Pure neuritic leprosy patients had elevated INFgamma proportional to nerve involvement; lepromatous leprosy patients showed higher IL6.
- Reactional episodes (Type I and II) were associated with increased INFgamma and IL6, respectively.
Conclusions:
- Elevated cytokines suggest a role in nerve and tissue damage, particularly in pure neuritic and borderline tuberculoid leprosy with Type I reactions.
- Cytokines may be valuable in leprosy classification, prognosis, and treatment strategies.
