Macrophage immunophenotypes in Jorge Lobo's disease and lepromatous leprosy- A comparative study

Jorge Lobo's disease (JLD) and lepromatous leprosy (LL) share several clinical, histological and immunological features, especially a deficiency in the cellular immune response. Macrophages participate in innate and adaptive inflammatory immune responses, as well as in tissue regeneration and repair. Macrophage function deficiency results in maintenance of diseases. M1 macrophages produce pro-inflammatory mediators and M2 produce anti-inflammatory cytokines. To better understand JLD and LL pathogenesis, we studied the immunophenotype profile of macrophage subtypes in 52 JLD skin lesions, in comparison with 16 LL samples, using a panmacrophage (CD68) antibody and selective immunohistochemical markers for M1 (iNOS) and M2 (CD163, CD204) responses, HAM56 (resident/fixed macrophage) and MAC 387 (recently infiltrating macrophage) antibodies. We found no differences between the groups regarding the density of the CD163, CD204, MAC387+ immunostained cells, including iNOS, considered a M1 marker. But HAM56+ cell density was higher in LL samples. By comparing the M2 and M1 immunomarkers in each disease separately, some other differences were found. Our results reinforce a higher M2 response in JLD and LL patients, depicting predominant production of anti-inflammatory cytokines, but also some distinction in degree of macrophage activation. Significant amounts of iNOS + macrophages take part in the immune milieu of both LL and JLD samples, displaying impaired microbicidal activity, like alternatively activated M2 cells.

Trans-epidermal extrusion of lepra bacilli from histoid lesions: a risk of continued transmission

The current goal of Zero Leprosy focuses on the interruption of the transmission of infection within endemic regions. While the role of the skin in the transmission dynamics of leprosy has not been clearly delineated, recent research on the environmental presence of lepra bacilli brings this aspect back into focus. We present a case of lepromatous leprosy with perforated-appearing histoid lesions on the palms and soles, demonstrating the presence of lepra bacilli throughout the epidermis.

Case Report: Borderline Lepromatous Leprosy Therapy Complicated by Type 1 Leprosy Reaction and Adverse Reactions with Dapsone and Clofazimine

Leprosy is a global health issue, causing long-term functional morbidity and stigma. Rapid diagnosis and appropriate treatment are important; however, early diagnosis is often challenging, especially in nonendemic areas. Here, we report a case of borderline lepromatous leprosy accompanied by dapsone-induced (neutropenia, anemia, and methemoglobinemia) and clofazimine-induced (skin discoloration and ichthyosis) side effects and type 1 leprosy reactions during administration of the multidrug therapy. The patient completely recovered without developing any deformities or visual impairment. To ensure early diagnosis and a favorable outcome, clinicians should be aware of the diminished sensation of skin lesions as a key physical finding and manage the drug toxicities and leprosy reactions appropriately in patients on multidrug therapy.

Reverse Koebner phenomenon in erythema nodosum leprosum

BACKGROUND

Erythema nodosum leprosum (ENL) is an immunologically mediated phenomenon complicating the course of leprosy. Reverse Koebner phenomenon is the term used to describe the sparing of previously injured or diseased skin by new skin lesions of the disease.

METHODS

A middle-aged woman with a known case of lepromatous leprosy for the past year presented with an eruption of reddish painful nodules over her body. The lesions were found to characteristically spare the sites of previous scars.

RESULTS

This sparing phenomenon of previous scar sites has been termed reverse Koebner phenomenon, a site of the body that offers greater resistance than the rest of the body to the onset of the disease, seen in various diseases, but it has never been described in ENL.

CONCLUSION

This sparing of scar sites in ENL can be attributed to reverse Koebner phenomenon.

Rare Variant of Leprosy Reaction (Lucio Phenomenon): A Case Series

ABSTRACT

Lucio phenomenon (LP) is a variant of type two leprosy, characterized by necrotizing erythema, frequently found in neglected leprosy patient who experience delayed diagnosis or inappropriate treatment. Indonesia is in the third place for highest leprosy cases worldwide. Nonetheless, LP is less common, regardless being an endemic country. In this serial case, we describe the three cases of LP in lepromatous leprosy patients in Denpasar, Bali. All three cases came to our hospital with chronic wounds complained up to a year, accompanied by swollen leg, blisters, tingling sensation, and other symptoms. They had received no suitable treatment, proving LP as a neglected case in primary health care. After a period of treatment, however, patient lesions improved clinically with no physical disability. With this case series, a better understanding toward LP initial complains together with its natural history and further examination could be achieved; thus, improving the early diagnosis and management of LP.

Genomic characterization of Mycobacterium lepromatosis from ENL patients from India

BACKGROUND

Leprosy is caused by Mycobacterium leprae and Mycobacterium lepromatosis. Both organisms cannot be cultured in vitro. M. lepromatosis was found to be associated mainly with diffuse lepromatous leprosy and with Lucio's phenomena initially. Later, M. lepromatosis was observed in borderline leprosy cases (BL), lepromatous leprosy cases (LL) and leprosy reactional cases (T1R and ENL). Although many cases are being reported with similar clinical features like Lucio phenomenon in India but M. lepromatosis was not isolated from these cases. The aim of this study was to screen MB patients and patients with type 2 reaction for the presence of M. lepromatosis.

METHODOLOGY

We recruited a total of 75 multibacillary leprosy cases (45 MB cases without reaction and 30 type 2 reaction (ENL) cases) from TLM hospitals Purulia (West Bengal), Barabanki (Uttar Pradesh), Shahdara (Delhi) and PGIMER (Chandigarh), India. Punch biopsies of 5 mm were collected in 70% ethanol from all the study subjects. DNA was extracted followed by Hemi-nested PCR targeting 16S rRNA gene specific for M. lepromatosis. Further, PCR products were processed for Sanger sequencing for an absolute confirmation of M. lepromatosis. Whole genome sequencing was done to confirm the presence of M. lepromatosis.

RESULT

We observed presence of M. lepromatosis in 4 necrotic ENL patients by heminested PCR. There was 100% 16S rRNA sequence similarity with M. lepromatosis FJ924 in one case, 98.96% in two cases and in one case it was 90.9% similarity by nucleotide BLAST (BLASTn) by using the NCBI website. On the basis of Sanger sequencing, we noted presence of M. lepromatosis in 3 necrotic ENL patients as one sample only gave 90.9% similarity by BLASTn. On the basis of de novo assembly and genome obtained, only one sample S4 with a 2.9 mb genome size was qualified for downstream analysis. Sixteen M. lepromatosis- specific proteins were identified in this case and the closest species was M. lepromatosis strain FJ924 based on whole genome level phylogeny.

CONCLUSION

These results provide valuable insights into the prevalence of M. lepromatosis in ENL patients in different regions of India and contribute to our understanding of the genetic characteristics of this pathogen in the context of leprosy.

Image Morphometric Analysis of B Cells and Plasma Cells in Erythema Nodosum Leprosum With Clinicopathological Correlation

ABSTRACT

Erythema nodosum leprosum (ENL) occurs as an immunological complication of multibacillary leprosy (MBL). The pathogenesis of ENL is long considered to be a T-cell-mediated process. The role of B cells and plasma cells in ENL is not well described in the literature. Therefore, we investigated the B-cell and plasma cell infiltrates in the skin biopsies of biopsy-proven cases of ENL by immunohistochemistry and image morphometry and compared the result with paucibacillary leprosy and MBL. Moreover, we sought a correlation of the B-cell and plasma cell infiltrates with different clinical, hematological, histopathological, and bacteriological parameters as well as the T-cell subsets in the skin biopsies. Our study highlighted a significant reduction in the number of B cells from paucibacillary leprosy to MBL to ENL, although there was no significant variation in the plasma cell infiltrate. The plasma cell infiltrate correlated with absolute neutrophilia in the blood and the presence of eosinophils in the ENL lesions. Both B cells and plasma cells positively correlated with CD4-positive T-helper cells and the CD8-positive cytotoxic T cells. Besides, the B cells also correlated positively with the CD3-positive pan T cells in the biopsy and negatively correlated with the T-regulatory:T-cell ratio. Our results suggested the role of B cells and plasma cells even at the tissue level in the pathobiogenesis of ENL.

Persistent Infection Versus Type 2 Immunological Reaction in Lepromatous Leprosy

The distinction between persistent infection and immunologic reactions in leprosy is often difficult but critically important since their management is different. We present the case of a 51-year-old Vietnamese female who presented in 2015 with areas of erythema and skin infiltration on face and chest, as well as edema on her hands and feet. Skin biopsy was consistent with lepromatous leprosy. She was treated with rifampin, clarithromycin, and levofloxacin for 2 years. Her lower extremity edema was attributed to type 2 immunological reaction for which she was started on prednisone and methotrexate, but she was lost to follow-up for 19 months. She presented with new skin lesions and pain on her extremities. New biopsies revealed an intense neutrophilic infiltrate in the dermis and acid-fast bacilli focally within cutaneous nerve twigs. As compared with the initial biopsy, the inflammatory infiltrates were diminished and the bacilli had a degenerating appearance. These findings were consistent with type 2 immunological reaction. The patient was treated with thalidomide with improvement in the appearance of the skin lesions. A follow-up biopsy showed lack of neutrophilic infiltrates and decreased number of bacilli. This case illustrates the importance of differentiating between persistent infection and immunologic reactions in leprosy. Clinicians should be aware of these complications. A high index of suspicion and accurate interpretation of skin biopsy results are essential for appropriate diagnosis.

Lepromatous leprosy presenting with type II reaction before and type I reaction after treatment

Lepromatous leprosy is associated with a high bacillary load and poor cellular immune response. Early dermatologic manifestations include erythematous macules, papules, nodules, and plaques with a symmetrical distribution. Leprosy also shows two major reaction states including type I (reversal reaction) and type II (vasculitis). These reactions are usually seen in some patients who are undergoing treatment. Herein, we report an interesting patient with lepromatous leprosy who presented with skin lesions of type II reaction without receiving any anti-leprosy treatment and surprisingly showed a type I reaction eight months after the beginning of the treatment.

Does histoid leprosy represent a locally hyperimmune variant of lepromatous leprosy?

BACKGROUND

Histoid leprosy is a subtype of leprosy with distinct clinical presentation and histologic features. It accounts for <4% of leprosy cases. The exact location of histoid leprosy along the immune spectrum and its relation to other subtypes is unclear.

AIM

To evaluate the local immune phenomenon which define histoid leprosy.

DESIGN

Parallel skin biopsies from histoid lesions and from unremarkable skin in patients with histoid leprosy were evaluated and the histologic findings compared.

METHODS

Formalin fixed, paraffin embedded tissue sections from lesional and non-lesional biopsies were assessed for changes in epidermis and dermis; type and extent of infiltrate, presence or absence of pseudocapsule and associated reactions. Bacillary index was evaluated using Wade Fite stain for lepra bacilli.

RESULTS

Amongst 208 leprosy cases, six cases of histoid leprosy were identified (2.88%). The cases showed presence of nodules, patches and plaques overlying clinically unremarkable skin. Fourteen skin biopsies were evaluated of which the lesional biopsies showed equal proportion of fusocellular, fusocellular epithelioid and fusocellular-vacuolated histology. A greater circumscription was noted in lesional biopsies; however the cellular content of the infiltrate was similar in lesional and non-lesional biopsies. A case of erythema nodosum leprosum in histoid leprosy was also seen.

CONCLUSIONS

Ours is the first study comparing normal and lesional skin in histoid leprosy. Though the histoid lesions appear to have a derivation from lepromatous leprosy, the local histologic and clinical alterations may be a result of heightened local immunity or reactive local modifying factors.

Erythroderma as a manifestation of leprosy

Erythroderma consists of erythema and scaling involving most or all of the body surface. This generalized eruption may be idiopathic, drug-induced or secondary to cutaneous or systemic disease. A 71-year-old man is reported presenting generalized erythema and desquamation with deck-chair sign, nail dystrophy, and plantar ulcers associated with loss of local tactile sensitivity. Biopsies from three different sites demonstrated diffuse lymphocytic infiltrate with incipient granulomas. Fite-Faraco staining showed numerous isolated bacilli and globi. The skin smear was positive. Clinical and pathological diagnosis of borderline lepromatous leprosy was confirmed. This report demonstrates that chronic multibacillary leprosy can manifest as erythroderma and thus should be included in the differential diagnosis.

Mycobacterium lepromatosis Lepromatous Leprosy in US Citizen Who Traveled to Disease-Endemic Areas

We report Mycobacterium lepromatosis infection in a US-born person with an extensive international travel history. Clinical symptoms, histopathology, and management are similar to those of infections caused by M. leprae. Clinicians should consider this pathogen in the diagnosis of patients with symptoms of leprosy who have traveled to endemic areas.

Quantitative evaluation of maxillary bone deformation by computed tomography in patients with leprosy

Background

Facial deformation as a sequela of leprosy is caused not only by a saddle nose but also by regression of the maxilla, as well documented in paleopathological observations of excavated skeletal remains of patients with leprosy. However, maxillary changes in living patients have been evaluated only by the subjective visual grading. Here, we attempted to evaluate maxillary bone deformation in patients with leprosy using three-dimensional computed tomography (3D-CT).

Methods

Three-dimensional images centered on the maxilla were reconstructed using multiplanar reconstruction methods in former patients with leprosy (n = 10) and control subjects (n = 5); the anterior-posterior length of the maxilla (M_A-P) was then measured. The difference between the M_A-P of the patients and those of controls was evaluated after compensating for individual skull size. These findings were also compared with those from previous paleopathological studies.

Findings

Three former patients with lepromatous leprosy showed marked atrophy of the maxilla at the prosthion (-8.6, -11.1 and -17.9 mm) which corresponded with the visual appearance of the maxillary deformity, and these results were consistent with paleopathological findings of excavated skeletal remains. Additionally, the precise bone defects of the maxilla could be individually calculated for accurate reconstructive surgery.

Interpretation

We have successfully illustrated maxillary bone deformities in living patients with leprosy. This study also confirmed the maxillary regression described in paleopathological studies.

The sequelae of leprosy are diverse and include facial deformity. A characteristic facial deformity is saddle nose, and the common clinical approach to this facial deformity has been rhinoplasty. Paleopathological studies from excavated skeletal remains have revealed that leprosy also causes deformation of the maxillary bone, which supports the external nose; however, these changes have not been evaluated in living patients with leprosy. In this study, we reconstructed three-dimensional and stereoscopic images of the cranium from CT scan data and evaluated maxillary deformities both qualitatively and quantitatively. Out of the ten former patients with leprosy, three had severe deformity of the maxilla including: atrophy of the anterior nasal spine, resorption of the medial part of the alveolar process, loss of sharpness of the piriform aperture margins, and atrophy of the nasal turbinate and the septum. These changes were consistent with previous findings from paleopathological studies. We also developed a novel method for measuring the anterior-posterior length of the maxilla using 3D-CT images, with compensation for individual differences in cranial size. The calculated values are indicative of the severity of the maxillary defects as well as the thickness of bone that needs to be reconstructed to correct the deformed maxilla.

Leprosy and American cutaneous leishmaniasis coinfection

Brazil is a country with a high prevalence of infectious diseases such as leprosy and leishmaniasis. However, coinfection of these diseases is still poorly understood. We report a case of a patient who presented with lepromatous leprosy and cutaneous-mucosal leishmaniasis at the same period. After clinical, laboratory, and histopathological diagnosis, the treatment was introduced and the patient showed important clinical improvement. He was followed in our outpatient clinic. Both pathologies play an important role in the immune system. Depending on the immune response profile of the host, diseases may present themselves in different ways. In this case, the patient showed a divergent immune response for each disease. We hypothesized that this response is specific for each pathogen.

NFκB transcription factor (p65) immunohistochemistry in leprosy dermal microvasculature

Leprosy caused by Mycobacterium leprae is characterized by a spectrum of clinical manifestations that are determined by the predominant immunological profile of the host. The recruitment of leukocytes to the sites of injury can influence the development of these profiles. Cell adhesion molecules such as ICAM-1, VCAM-1 and CD62E participate in this process and their expression is regulated by transcriptions factors such as NFκB. To correlate the expression of cell adhesion molecules and NFκB (p65) in leprosy lesions, 30 skin biopsies of patients with leprosy [16 with the tuberculoid (TT) or borderline tuberculoid (BT) forms and 14 with the lepromatous (LL) or borderline lepromatous (BL) forms] were analyzed by immunohistochemistry. A larger mean number of cells expressing VCAM-1 (BT/TT: 18.28 ± 1.4; BL/LL: 10.67 ± 1.2; p = 0.0002), ICAM-1 (BT/TT: 9.92 ± 1.1; BL/LL: 5.87 ± 1.0; p = 0.0084) and CD62E (BT/TT: 13.0 ± 1.5; BL/LL: 2.58 ± 0.3; p = 0.0001) were observed in BT and TT lesions. The mean number of cells expressing NFκB was similar in the two clinical forms (BT/TT: 2.21 ± 2.7; BL/LL: 2.35 ± 3.1;p = 0.9285). No significant correlation was observed between expression of the transcription factor and adhesion molecules analyzed. The synthesis of ICAM-1, VCAM-1 and CD62E depends on the activation of NFκB, which acts synergistically with other transcription factors. Adequate activation of intracellular signaling pathways results in the production of endothelial adhesion molecules, contributing to the recruitment of cells to the site of injury and thus eliciting an effective inflammatory response in the elimination of the bacillus.

Two Cases of Lepromatous Leprosy from Exposure to Armadillos in Florida

The first patient was a 41-year-old white man who was referred to the dermatology clinic with a 2-year history of numerous erythematous, hypoesthetic, poorly demarcated papules and plaques present on the trunk, buttocks, and bilateral upper and lower extremities (Figures 1 and 2). The lesions had initially begun as localized erythematous plaques on the right flank, and were diagnosed and treated as cellulitis and allergic contact dermatitis by primary care on separate occasions, with no resolution and continued gradual but persistent spread.

Clinico-pathological features of erythema nodosum leprosum: A case-control study at ALERT hospital, Ethiopia

BACKGROUND

Leprosy reactions are a significant cause of morbidity in leprosy population. Erythema nodosum leprosum (ENL) is an immunological complication affecting approximately 50% of patients with lepromatous leprosy (LL) and 10% of borderline lepromatous (BL) leprosy. ENL is associated with clinical features such as skin lesions, neuritis, arthritis, dactylitis, eye inflammation, osteitis, orchitis, lymphadenitis and nephritis. ENL is treated mainly with corticosteroids and corticosteroids are often required for extended periods of time which may lead to serious adverse effects. High mortality rate and increased morbidity associated with corticosteroid treatment of ENL has been reported. For improved and evidence-based treatment of ENL, documenting the systems affected by ENL is important. We report here the clinical features of ENL in a cohort of patients with acute ENL who were recruited for a clinico-pathological study before and after prednisolone treatment.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A case-control study was performed at ALERT hospital, Ethiopia. Forty-six LL patients with ENL and 31 non-reactional LL matched controls were enrolled to the study and followed for 28 weeks. Clinical features were systematically documented at three visits (before, during and after predinsolone treatment of ENL cases) using a specifically designed form. Skin biopsy samples were obtained from each patient before and after treatment and used for histopathological investigations to supplement the clinical data.

RESULTS

Pain was the most common symptom reported (98%) by patients with ENL. Eighty percent of them had reported skin pain and more than 70% had nerve and joint pain at enrolment. About 40% of the patients developed chronic ENL. Most individuals 95.7% had nodular skin lesions. Over half of patients with ENL had old nerve function impairment (NFI) while 13% had new NFI at enrolment. Facial and limb oedema were present in 60% patients. Regarding pathological findings before treatment, dermal neutrophilic infiltration was noted in 58.8% of patients with ENL compared to 14.3% in LL controls. Only 14.7% patients with ENL had evidence of vasculitis at enrolment.

CONCLUSION

In our study, painful nodular skin lesions were present in all ENL patients. Only 58% patients had dermal polymorphonuclear cell infiltration showing that not all clinically confirmed ENL cases have neutrophilic infiltration in lesions. Very few patients had histological evidence of vasculitis. Many patients developed chronic ENL and these patients require inpatient corticosteroid treatment for extended periods which challenges the health service facility in resource poor settings, as well as the patient's quality of life.

A leprosy clinical severity scale for erythema nodosum leprosum: An international, multicentre validation study of the ENLIST ENL Severity Scale

OBJECTIVES

We wished to validate our recently devised 16-item ENLIST ENL Severity Scale, a clinical tool for measuring the severity of the serious leprosy associated complication of erythema nodosum leprosum (ENL). We also wished to assess the responsiveness of the ENLIST ENL Severity Scale in detecting clinical change in patients with ENL.

METHODS

Participants, recruited from seven centres in six leprosy endemic countries, were assessed using the ENLIST ENL Severity Scale by two researchers, one of whom categorised the severity of ENL. At a subsequent visit a further assessment using the scale was made and both participant and physician rated the change in ENL using the subjective categories of "Much better", "somewhat better", "somewhat worse" and "much worse" compared with "No change" or "about the same".

RESULTS

447 participants were assessed with the ENLIST ENL Severity Scale. The Cronbach alpha of the scale and each item was calculated to determine the internal consistency of the scale. The ENLIST ENL Severity Scale had good internal consistency and this improved following removal of six items to give a Cronbach's alpha of 0.77. The cut off between mild ENL and more severe disease was 9 determined using ROC curves. The minimal important difference of the scale was determined to be 5 using both participant and physician ratings of change.

CONCLUSIONS

The 10-item ENLIST ENL Severity Scale is the first valid, reliable and responsive measure of ENL severity and improves our ability to assess and compare patients and their treatments in this severe and difficult to manage complication of leprosy. The ENLIST ENL Severity Scale will assist physicians in the monitoring and treatment of patients with ENL. The ENLIST ENL Severity Scale is easy to apply and will be useful as an outcome measure in treatment studies and enable the standardisation of other clinical and laboratory ENL research.

Lepromatous leprosy simulating rheumatoid arthritis - Report of a neglected disease

Brazil has the second largest number of leprosy cases in the world; nevertheless, late diagnosis is common. We report the case of a male patient with pain and numbness in both hands and feet for six years with positive rheumatoid factor and anticardiolipin under rheumatoid arthritis treatment for five years. Examination revealed diffuse cutaneous infiltration and leonine facies, characteristic features of lepromatous leprosy. Autoantibodies such as rheumatoid factor and anticardiolipin are markers of rheumatic autoimmune diseases, but their presence is also described in leprosy. We report the present case in order to alert health professionals to remember leprosy, even in areas where the disease is considered eliminated as a public health problem, avoiding misinterpretations of serologic findings and misdiagnosis.

Autochthonous lepromatous leprosy in a Spanish woman with burns on both feet and skin lesions

The incidence of leprosy is decreasing worldwide and it is considered a rare disease in developed countries. In Spain, leprosy is mainly an imported disease with only few autochthonous cases seen. The diagnosis is difficult because of a low index of suspicion and the absence of visualisation of fast-acid bacilli in the lesions. Here, we report an autochthonous case of leprosy diagnosed after 4 years of evolution of skin lesions. Mechanical rupture of the biopsy helped finally to make the correct diagnosis of the disease.