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Updated: Jul 8, 2025
Single-cell Analysis of Immunophenotype and Cytokine Production in Peripheral Whole Blood via Mass Cytometry
Published on: June 26, 2018
Cytokines profile in pure neural leprosy
Izabela Jardim R Pitta1,2, Debora Bartzen Moraes Angst1, Roberta Olmo Pinheiro1
1Leprosy Laboratory, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Introduction:
Pure Neural Leprosy (PNL) is a form of this long time known disease that affects only the peripheral nervous system. Since it is a rare form of the disease, its pathophisiology is still poorly understood.
Objective:
Describe the cytokines profile in patients with PNL.
Methods:
30 Patients diagnosed with PNL in the Souza Araujo Outpatient Clinic and with cytokines evaluated were selected. They were evaluated by neurologists and diagnosed after a nerve biopsy. Serum levels of IL-1 β, IL-6, IL-10, IL-17, TNF, CCL-2/MCP-1, IFN-ϒ, CXCL-10/IP-10 and TGF-β were evaluates at the moment of the diagnosis.
Results:
Neural thickening was a common clinical finding in this groups of patients. Small and medium sensitive fibers signs and symptoms were present in 92% of the patients and motor involvement in 53%. 43% of patients presented neuropathic pain and no one had neuritis TGF-beta, IL-17, CCl-2 and IP-10. CCL-2 levels were associated with demyelinating patters and IP-10 and IL-1o were associated with axonal patterns at NCS.
Discussion:
PNL patients' cytokine profile appears to be different of other clinical forms of leprosy, with the presence of cytokines described in both tuberculoid and lepromatous leprosy. High levels of CCl-2 may be related to the presence of silent neuritis as well as the presence of IL-10. PNL is unique a form of leprosy, therefore, understanding its immunological profiles essential to better understand the disease itself.
