The landscape of chemokine and cytokine is associated with the distinct clinical status of leprosy patients and their respective household contacts.

Introduction: Leprosy, a chronic infectious disease, is closely linked to the host immune response. According to the WHO, leprosy patients (L) and household contacts (HHC) are classified into subgroups: paucibacillary (PB) and multibacillary (MB), witch reflect the degree of infection in patients and the level of exposure of their contacts. The main goal of this study was to: i) establish a comprehensive overview of soluble mediator signatures of PBMCs upon antigen-specific stimuli and ii) identify whether the chemokine (CH) and cytokine (CY) signatures were associated with distinct clinical manifestations in (L) and immune response profiles in (HHC).

Spatial associations of Hansen's disease and schistosomiasis in endemic regions of Minas Gerais, Brazil.

Background: Brazil has the second highest case count of Hansen's disease (leprosy, HD), but factors contributing to transmission in highly endemic areas of the country remain unclear. Recent studies have shown associations of helminth infection and leprosy, supporting a biological plausibility for increased leprosy transmission in areas with helminths. However, spatial analyses of the overlap of these infections are limited.

The frequency and clinical associations of opioid use in systemic sclerosis.

Objective: To define the frequency and associations of opioid use in SSc.

Methods: Australian Scleroderma Cohort Study participants meeting ACR/EULAR criteria for SSc were included. Current or previous opioid use was recorded at each visit, with long-term use defined as use on two or more consecutive visits.

Progression and clinical implications of frailty in patients with systemic sclerosis.

Introduction/objectives: To identify the frequency, correlates and progression of frailty in systemic sclerosis (SSc).

Method: All Australian Scleroderma Cohort Study participants meeting ACR/EULAR criteria with a calculable FRAIL Scale score were included. FRAIL Scale scores were calculated annually and were used to group participants as 'robust', 'pre-frail' or 'frail'.