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de Oliveira RR, Dorilêo GB, Mendonça ACDSF, Damazo AS. Neural leprosy investigation using electroneuromyography and the ML Flow rapid test: a case report. Rev Soc Bras Med Trop 2024; 57:e008022024. [PMID: 38359312 PMCID: PMC10911422 DOI: 10.1590/0037-8682-0586-2023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2023] [Accepted: 01/15/2024] [Indexed: 02/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Neural leprosy, which is characterized by nerve involvement without visible skin lesions, presents a diagnostic challenge. This case report examined the significance of diverse diagnostic modalities in the identification of pure neural leprosy. A 28-year-old patient with symptoms of edema, pain, paresthesia, and diminished sensitivity in the lower limbs underwent various tests. A stilt skin smear yielded negative results on bacilloscopy, whereas a Fast ML Flow leprosy test and electroneuromyography supported the diagnosis. This discussion highlights the importance of accessible methods for early investigation. This study emphasizes the multidisciplinary approach and value of the Fast ML Flow leprosy test and electroneuromyography for diagnosing neural leprosy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roque Rafael de Oliveira
- Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso, Faculdade de Medicina, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde, Cuiabá, MT, Brasil
- Clínica Idea, Instituto de Dermatologia, Cuiabá, MT, Brasil
| | | | | | - Amílcar Sabino Damazo
- Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso, Faculdade de Medicina, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde, Cuiabá, MT, Brasil
- Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso, Faculdade de Medicina, Departamento de Ciências Básicas em Saúde, Cuiabá, MT, Brasil
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Raicher I, Zandonai AP, Anghinah IW, Frassetto M, Stump PRNAG, Trindade MAB, Harnik S, Oliveira RA, Macarenco RSS, Doppler K, Üçeyler N, Mello ES, Sommer C, Teixeira MJ, Galhardoni R, de Andrade DC. Mirror peripheral neuropathy and unilateral chronic neuropathic pain: insights from asymmetric neurological patterns in leprosy. Pain 2023; 164:717-727. [PMID: 35972460 DOI: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000002757] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2022] [Accepted: 07/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
ABSTRACT Leprosy-related multiple mononeuropathy offers a pattern of impairment where neuropathy with and without neuropathic pain (NeP) are present in the same individual, thus allowing to investigate peripheral sensory and innervation in both conditions. This cross-sectional study collected data on clinical and neurological examination, pain assessment questionnaires, quantitative sensory test, and intraepidermal nerve fiber density of patients with leprosy and divided the cohort into 2 groups: with NeP (P+) and without NeP (P-). Furthermore, we assessed mirror body areas in the same NeP individuals with bilateral neuropathy also presenting unilateral NeP. Pain-free patients having unilateral neuropathy were controls. A total of 37 P+ and 22 P- patients were evaluated. Limb areas with NeP had signs of C-fiber dysfunction and hyperesthesia on quantitative sensory testing compared with limb areas having neuropathy without NeP. Skin denervation was found in all patients with leprosy. Comparisons of limbs with and without neuropathy and with and without NeP revealed that higher heat pain thresholds (HPTs) were associated with neuropathic pain areas, whereas less altered HPT was correlated with higher fiber density. Furthermore, a relationship was found between time of leprosy treatment termination and more intense neuropathy, expressed by HPT increasing 0.03°C each month. As expected, interindividual comparisons failed to show differences in intraepidermal nerve fiber density and subepidermal plexus areas between P+ and P- patients ( P = 0.2980, P = 0.9044; respectively). Higher HPT and lower mechanical detection threshold were related to NeP. This study pointed out the relevance of intraindividual comparisons including mirror areas when assessing local changes in peripheral NeP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irina Raicher
- Department of Neurology, Clinics Hospital of the University of Sao Paulo Medical School, Brazil
- Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein, Pathology Laboratory, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | | | | | - Mariana Frassetto
- University of Southern Santa Catarina (UNESC), Santa Catarina, Brazil
| | - Patrick R N A G Stump
- Department of Neurology, Clinics Hospital of the University of Sao Paulo Medical School, Brazil
- Instituto Lauro de Souza Lima, Bauru, Brazil
| | - Maria A B Trindade
- Department of Dermatology, Clinics Hospital of the University of Sao Paulo Medical School, Brazil
| | - Simone Harnik
- Department of Statistics of the Institute of Mathematics and Statistics of the University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Rodrigo A Oliveira
- Department of Statistics of the Institute of Mathematics and Statistics of the University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Kathrin Doppler
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Nurcan Üçeyler
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Evandro S Mello
- Cancer Institute of Sao Paulo Octavio Frias de Oliveira, University of Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Claudia Sommer
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Manoel J Teixeira
- Pain Center, Discipline of Neurosurgery HC-FMUSP, LIM-62, University of São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Ricardo Galhardoni
- Pain Center, Discipline of Neurosurgery HC-FMUSP, LIM-62, University of São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Daniel C de Andrade
- Pain Center, Discipline of Neurosurgery HC-FMUSP, LIM-62, University of São Paulo, Brazil
- Center for Neuroplasticity and Pain, Department of Health Sciences and Technology, Faculty of Medicine, Aalborg University, DK-9220, Aalborg, Denmark
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Abstract
Neuropathy and related disabilities are the major medical consequences of leprosy, which remains a global medical concern. Despite major advances in understanding the mechanisms of M. leprae entry into peripheral nerves, most aspects of the pathogenesis of leprosy neuropathy remain poorly understood. Sensory loss is characteristic of leprosy, but neuropathic pain is sometimes observed. Effective anti-microbial therapy is available, but neuropathy remains a problem especially if diagnosis and treatment are delayed. Currently there is intense interest in post-exposure prophylaxis with single-dose rifampin in endemic areas, as well as with enhanced prophylactic regimens in some situations. Some degree of nerve involvement is seen in all cases and neuritis may occur in the absence of leprosy reactions, but acute neuritis commonly accompanies both Type 1 and Type 2 leprosy reactions and may be difficult to manage. A variety of established as well as new methods for the early diagnosis and assessment of leprosy neuropathy are reviewed. Corticosteroids offer the primary treatment for neuritis and for subclinical neuropathy in leprosy, but success is limited if nerve function impairment is present at the time of diagnosis. A candidate vaccine has shown apparent benefit in preventing nerve injury in the armadillo model. The development of new therapeutics for leprosy neuropathy is greatly needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gigi J Ebenezer
- Neurology/Cutaneous Nerve Laboratory, Johns Hopkins University, The John G Rangos Bldg, room: 440, 855 North Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA.
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Tashiro S, Gotou N, Oku Y, Sugano T, Nakamura T, Suzuki H, Otomo N, Yamada S, Tsuji T, Asato Y, Ishii N. Relationship between Plantar Pressure and Sensory Disturbance in Patients with Hansen's Disease-Preliminary Research and Review of the Literature. SENSORS 2020; 20:s20236976. [PMID: 33291332 PMCID: PMC7730212 DOI: 10.3390/s20236976] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2020] [Revised: 11/23/2020] [Accepted: 12/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Orthoses and insoles are among the primary treatments and prevention methods of refractory plantar ulcers in patients with Hansen’s disease. While dynamic plantar pressure and tactile sensory disturbance are the critical pathological factors, few studies have investigated whether a relationship exists between these two factors. In this study, dynamic pressure measured using F-scan system and tactile sensory threshold evaluated with monofilament testing were determined for 12 areas of 20 feet in patients with chronic Hansen’s disease. The correlation between these two factors was calculated for each foot, for each clinical category of the foot (0–IV) and across all feet. A significant correlation was found between dynamic pressure and tactile sensation in Category II feet (n = 8, p = 0.016, r2 = 0.246, Spearman’s rank test). In contrast, no significant correlation was detected for the entire foot or within the subgroups for the remainder of the clinical categories. However, the clinical manifestation of lesion areas showed high variability: (1) pressure concentrated, sensation lost; (2) margin of pressure concentration, sensation lost; (3) pressure concentrated, sensation severely disturbed but not lost; and (4) tip of the toe. These results may indicate that, even though there was a weak relationship between dynamic pressure and tactile sensation, it is important to assess both, in addition to the basics of orthotic treatment in patients with Hansen’s disease presenting with refractory plantar ulceration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Syoichi Tashiro
- Department of Rehabilitation, National Sanatorium Tamazenshoen, Higashi-Murayama, Tokyo 189-0002, Japan; (Y.O.); (T.N.); (H.S.)
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Keio University School of Medicine, Shinjuku, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan;
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Kyorin University School of Medicine, Mitaka, Tokyo 181-8611, Japan;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +81-3-5363-3833
| | - Naoki Gotou
- Department of Prosthesis and Orthosis, National Sanatorium Tamazenshoen, Higashi-Murayama, Tokyo 189-0002, Japan; (N.G.); (T.S.)
| | - Yuki Oku
- Department of Rehabilitation, National Sanatorium Tamazenshoen, Higashi-Murayama, Tokyo 189-0002, Japan; (Y.O.); (T.N.); (H.S.)
- Department of Rehabilitation, National Hospital Organization Tokyo Hospital, Kiyose, Tokyo 204-8585, Japan
| | - Takahiro Sugano
- Department of Prosthesis and Orthosis, National Sanatorium Tamazenshoen, Higashi-Murayama, Tokyo 189-0002, Japan; (N.G.); (T.S.)
| | - Takuya Nakamura
- Department of Rehabilitation, National Sanatorium Tamazenshoen, Higashi-Murayama, Tokyo 189-0002, Japan; (Y.O.); (T.N.); (H.S.)
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Keio University School of Medicine, Shinjuku, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan;
| | - Hiromi Suzuki
- Department of Rehabilitation, National Sanatorium Tamazenshoen, Higashi-Murayama, Tokyo 189-0002, Japan; (Y.O.); (T.N.); (H.S.)
| | - Nao Otomo
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, National Sanatorium Tamazenshoen, Higashi-Murayama, Tokyo 189-0002, Japan;
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Keio University School of Medicine, Shinjuku, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan
| | - Shin Yamada
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Kyorin University School of Medicine, Mitaka, Tokyo 181-8611, Japan;
| | - Tetsuya Tsuji
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Keio University School of Medicine, Shinjuku, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan;
| | - Yutaka Asato
- Department of Surgery, National Sanatorium Tamazenshoen, Higashi-Murayama, Tokyo 189-0002, Japan;
| | - Norihisa Ishii
- Department of Dermatology, National Sanatorium Tamazenshoen, Higashi-Murayama, Tokyo 189-0002, Japan;
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C-Fiber Assays in the Cornea vs. Skin. Brain Sci 2019; 9:brainsci9110320. [PMID: 31718074 PMCID: PMC6896162 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci9110320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2019] [Revised: 11/07/2019] [Accepted: 11/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
C-fibers are unmyelinated nerve fibers that transmit high threshold mechanical, thermal, and chemical signals that are associated with pain sensations. This review examines current literature on measuring altered peripheral nerve morphology and discusses the most relevant aspects of corneal microscopy, especially whether corneal imaging presents significant method advantages over skin biopsy. Given its relative merits, corneal confocal microscopy would seem to be a more practical and patient-centric approach than utilizing skin biopsies.
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