Experts have called attention to the possible negative impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-related cytokine storm syndrome on the progression of leprosy-related disabilities. We assessed the frequency of reactional states in patients co-infected with Mycobacterium leprae and severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) coronavirus (CoV) 2 (SARS-CoV-2). We consecutively included patients during the first peak of the COVID-19 epidemic in Brazil and analyzed the expressions of genes encoding interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-12A, IL-12B, and tumor necrosis factor-α in peripheral blood mononuclear cells. We included 64 leprosy patients and 50 controls. Twelve of the leprosy patients and 14 of the controls had been diagnosed with COVID-19. Co-infection was associated with increased IL-6 (P = 0.043) and IL-12B (P = 0.017) expression. The median disability grades were higher for leprosy/COVID-19 patients; however, the difference was not significant (P = 0.194). Patients co-infected with M. leprae and SARS-CoV-2 may experience a higher-grade proinflammatory state.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.4269/ajtmh.21-0034 | DOI Listing |
Arch Dermatol Res
January 2025
Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprosy, Sree Uthradom Thirunal Academy Of Medical Sciences, Trivandrum, 695028, India.
Background: Exposure to hairs of caterpillars and moths are collectively termed as lepidopterism. Clinical manifestations include cutaneous presentation of localized stinging reaction with wheals or vesiculation, acute urticarial papules and plaques, ophthalmic, oropharyngeal involvement to severe life-threatening anaphylactic reactions with angioedema.
Aims: In this study we have determined the prevalence of various cutaneous, oropharyngeal and ophthalmic manifestations of lepidopterism at a tertiary health care center.
Trop Med Int Health
January 2025
Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
Objectives: The purpose of this study was to determine reference points for thermal perception in cutaneous lesions of leprosy, a disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae characterised by hypoesthesia in skin lesions due to nerve and Schwann cell infection. Early diagnosis is essential to control transmission and effectively treat the disease.
Methods: Quantitative thermal testing (QTT) has been proposed as a valuable tool for early detection of the disease, initiation of treatment, and monitoring of nerve damage.
Mod Rheumatol Case Rep
January 2025
Hospital Universitário Professor Edgard Santos, UFBA, Salvador - BA, Brazil.
Jaccoud's arthropathy is a deforming, non-erosive form of arthritis initially described in patients with rheumatic fever. However, it has been recently observed more frequently in those with systemic lupus erythematosus. Cases of Jaccoud's arthropathy have also been described to be associated with other conditions.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFNagoya J Med Sci
November 2024
Department of Dermatology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan.
We report a case of a woman presenting with an erythematous finger nodule, with a history of exposure to tropical fish. The erythematous nodules subsequently spread proximally from the finger. Initial treatment with oral amoxicillin-clavulanate was unsuccessful, and she developed a drug eruption.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPLoS Negl Trop Dis
January 2025
Marie Adelaide Leprosy Center, Karachi, Pakistan.
Background: Recent epidemiological data shows significant rates of grade 2 disability at point-of-diagnosis among new leprosy cases in Pakistan. This indicates a feature of extensive diagnostic delay; the disability burden appears unmoving and disproportionate to the falling leprosy incidence rates. Therefore, this study was required to understand reasons for delay in diagnosis and treatment of leprosy.
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