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Relationship Between sCD163 and mCD163 and Their Implication in the Detection and Typing of Leprosy
Azza Gaber Antar Farag1, Shymaa A El Askary2, Waleed M Fathy3
1Dermatology, Andrology & STDs Department, Faculty of Medicine, Menoufia University, Al Menoufia, Egypt.
Background:
Leprosy is a chronic contagious disease caused by Mycobacterium lepraea. CD163 is a monocyte trans-membrane glycoprotein receptor (mCD163) that sheds from the cell surface and circulates as a soluble (serum) form (sCD163). Changes in the mCD163 and sCD163 levels could mirror the categorization of inflammatory procedure, demonstrating a possible use of CD163 as a diagnostic indicator of inflammation.
Objective:
To investigate the possible role of CD163 (sCD163 and mCD163) in leprosy pathogenesis and to assess whether CD163 is a helpful inflammatory marker of leprosy development and typing.
Patients And Methods:
This case control study included 70 leprosy patients and 30 healthy controls. Leprosy patients were classified according to the Madrid criteria (1953) into: tuberculoid leprosy (TT), border-line leprosy (BL), and lepromatous leprosy (LL). For all participants, complete blood count (CBC), serum CD163 using ELISA and monocytes positive for CD163 using flow cytometry were done.
Results:
Leprosy patients had significantly low WBCs and platelet counts (p<0.001) and had significantly higher sCD163 (p=0.025) and mCD163 (p=0.042) that were highest in LL followed by BL, then TT patients (p<0.001). There was a significant positive correlation between mCD163 and sCD163 levels in leprosy patients (r=0.896, p<0.001). ROC analysis revealed a significant role of serum sCD163 and of mCD163 positive monocytes in the detection (p<0.001) and typing of leprosy (p=0.002 and p<0.001, respectively).
Conclusion:
Both sCD163 and mCD163 positive monocytes may have an active role in leprosy pathogenesis. They could be potential biomarkers for leprosy detection and typing.
Insights
Soluble CD163 (sCD163) and membrane CD163 (mCD163) show potential as biomarkers for detecting and classifying leprosy. Elevated levels in patients suggest their involvement in the disease
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Infectious Diseases
- Biomarker Discovery
Background:
- Leprosy, a chronic infection by Mycobacterium leprae, involves complex inflammatory processes.
- CD163, a monocyte receptor, exists in membrane-bound (mCD163) and soluble (sCD163) forms.
- sCD163 and mCD163 levels may indicate inflammatory status, suggesting diagnostic potential.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the role of CD163 (sCD163 and mCD163) in leprosy pathogenesis.
- To evaluate CD163 as an inflammatory marker for leprosy development and classification.
Main Methods:
- A case-control study involving 70 leprosy patients and 30 healthy controls.
- Leprosy patients were categorized into tuberculoid (TT), borderline (BL), and lepromatous (LL) types.
- Measurements included complete blood count, serum sCD163 (ELISA), and monocyte mCD163 (flow cytometry).
Main Results:
- Leprosy patients exhibited lower white blood cell and platelet counts.
- Significantly higher sCD163 and mCD163 levels were observed in leprosy patients, particularly in lepromatous leprosy.
- A strong positive correlation between sCD163 and mCD163 was found, with ROC analysis confirming their role in leprosy detection and typing.
Conclusions:
- sCD163 and mCD163-positive monocytes may actively participate in leprosy pathogenesis.
- These CD163 forms show promise as potential biomarkers for leprosy diagnosis and classification.
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