[Leprosy and hepatitis B]

Area of Science:

• Hepatology
• Infectious Diseases
• Immunology

Background:

• The Australia antigen, now known as Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), was found at higher rates in leprosy patients in 1966.
• Initial hypotheses included genetic factors and increased transmission due to hospitalization in lepromatous leprosy.
• The link between HBsAg and Hepatitis B virus (HBV) shifted focus to immune responses in leprosy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the connection between cell immunity in leprosy and Hepatitis B.
• To analyze seric markers of HBV replication in leprosy patients.
• To explore the incidence of hospitalization and age in relation to HBV markers in leprosy.

Main Methods:

• Bibliographical review of approximately fifty published works.
• Inclusion of a personal study analyzing Hepatitis B virus replication markers.
• Examination of patient data including hospitalization and age.

Main Results:

• Lepromatous leprosy patients show a higher prevalence of HBsAg carriers compared to tuberculoid leprosy and controls.
• Geographic areas with high leprosy prevalence often overlap with high HBsAg carrier rates.
• Studies primarily focus on HBsAg detection, with fewer investigating HBeAg and HBsAc.

Conclusions:

• Cellular immunity, a key feature of lepromatous leprosy, is a significant factor in the observed association with HBV.
• The study provides a model for investigating cell immunity and Hepatitis B.
• Further research is warranted to understand the complex relationship between leprosy and HBV.