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Chen X, Di L, Qian M, Shen D, Feng X, Zhang X. Neurological features of Hansen disease: a retrospective, multicenter cohort study. Sci Rep 2024; 14:10374. [PMID: 38710787 PMCID: PMC11074337 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-60457-0] [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: 11/28/2023] [Accepted: 04/23/2024] [Indexed: 05/08/2024] Open
Abstract
To elucidate the neurological features of Hansen disease. The medical records of patients with confirmed Hansen disease transferred from the neurology department were reviewed, and all medical and neurological manifestations of Hansen disease were assessed. Eleven patients with confirmed Hansen disease, 10 with newly detected Hansen disease and 1 with relapsed Hansen disease, who visited neurology departments were enrolled. The newly detected patients with Hansen disease were classified as having lepromatous leprosy (LL, n = 1), borderline lepromatous leprosy (BL, n = 2), borderline leprosy (BB, n = 2), borderline tuberculoid leprosy (BT, n = 1), tuberculoid leprosy (TT, n = 2), or pure neural leprosy (PNL, n = 2). All of the patients with confirmed Hansen were diagnosed with peripheral neuropathy (100.00%, 11/11). The symptoms and signs presented were mainly limb numbness (100.00%, 11/11), sensory and motor dysfunction (100.00%, 11/11), decreased muscle strength (90.90%, 10/11), and skin lesions (81.81%, 9/11). Nerve morphological features in nerve ultrasonography (US) included peripheral nerve asymmetry and segmental thickening (100.00%, 9/9). For neuro-electrophysiology feature, the frequency of no response of sensory nerves was significantly higher than those of motor nerves [(51.21% 42/82) vs (24.70%, 21/85)(P = 0.0183*)] by electrodiagnostic (EDX) studies. Nerve histological features in nerve biopsy analysis included demyelination (100.00%, 5/5) and axonal damage (60.00%, 3/5). In addition to confirmed diagnoses by acid-fast bacteria (AFB) staining (54.54%, 6/11) and skin pathology analysis (100.00%, 8/8), serology and molecular technology were positive in 36.36% (4/11) and 100.00% (11/11) of confirmed patients of Hansen disease, respectively. It is not uncommon for patients of Hansen disease to visit neurology departments due to peripheral neuropathy. The main pathological features of affected nerves are demyelination and axonal damage. The combination of nerve US, EDX studies, nerve biopsy, and serological and molecular tests can improve the diagnosis of Hansen disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaohua Chen
- Leprosy Department, Beijing Tropical Medicine Research Institute, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Research On Prevention and Treatment of Tropical Diseases, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.
| | - Li Di
- Department of Neurology, Beijing Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Min Qian
- Department of Neurology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital (PUMCH), Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College (CAMS & PUMC), Beijing, China
| | - Dongchao Shen
- Department of Neurology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital (PUMCH), Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College (CAMS & PUMC), Beijing, China
| | - Xinhong Feng
- Department of Neurology, School of Clinical Medicine, Beijing Tsinghua Changgung Hospital, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Xiqing Zhang
- Department of Neurology, Beijing Junyi Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Beijing, China
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Pitta IJR, Angst DBM, Pinheiro RO, Vieira JSDS, Spitz CN, Andrade LR, Carvalho LB, Hacker MA, Sarno EN, Jardim MR. Cytokines profile in pure neural leprosy. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1272471. [PMID: 38116016 PMCID: PMC10728593 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1272471] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2023] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Pure Neural Leprosy (PNL) is a form of this long time known disease that affects only the peripheral nervous system. Since it is a rare form of the disease, its pathophisiology is still poorly understood. Objective Describe the cytokines profile in patients with PNL. Methods 30 Patients diagnosed with PNL in the Souza Araujo Outpatient Clinic and with cytokines evaluated were selected. They were evaluated by neurologists and diagnosed after a nerve biopsy. Serum levels of IL-1 β, IL-6, IL-10, IL-17, TNF, CCL-2/MCP-1, IFN-ϒ, CXCL-10/IP-10 and TGF-β were evaluates at the moment of the diagnosis. Results Neural thickening was a common clinical finding in this groups of patients. Small and medium sensitive fibers signs and symptoms were present in 92% of the patients and motor involvement in 53%. 43% of patients presented neuropathic pain and no one had neuritis TGF-beta, IL-17, CCl-2 and IP-10. CCL-2 levels were associated with demyelinating patters and IP-10 and IL-1o were associated with axonal patterns at NCS. Discussion PNL patients' cytokine profile appears to be different of other clinical forms of leprosy, with the presence of cytokines described in both tuberculoid and lepromatous leprosy. High levels of CCl-2 may be related to the presence of silent neuritis as well as the presence of IL-10. PNL is unique a form of leprosy, therefore, understanding its immunological profiles essential to better understand the disease itself.
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Affiliation(s)
- Izabela Jardim R. Pitta
- Leprosy Laboratory, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Department of Neurology, Antonio Pedro University Hospital/Fluminense Federal University, Niteroi, Brazil
| | | | | | | | - Clarissa Neves Spitz
- Leprosy Laboratory, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Post-Graduate Program in Neurology, Federal University of the State of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Department of Neurology, Pedro Ernesto University Hospital/Rio de Janeiro State University, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Ligia Rocha Andrade
- Leprosy Laboratory, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Post-Graduate Program in Neurology, Federal University of the State of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Department of Neurology, Pedro Ernesto University Hospital/Rio de Janeiro State University, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Larissa Bittencourt Carvalho
- Leprosy Laboratory, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Post-Graduate Program in Neurology, Federal University of the State of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Department of Neurology, Pedro Ernesto University Hospital/Rio de Janeiro State University, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | | | | | - Marcia Rodrigues Jardim
- Leprosy Laboratory, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Post-Graduate Program in Neurology, Federal University of the State of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Department of Neurology, Pedro Ernesto University Hospital/Rio de Janeiro State University, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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Cotti Piccinelli S, Tagliapietra M, Cavallaro T, Labella B, Risi B, Caria F, Damioli S, Poli L, Padovani A, Ferrari S, Filosto M. Leprosy Neuropathy in a Non-Endemic Area: A Clinical and Pathological Study. Biomedicines 2023; 11:2468. [PMID: 37760909 PMCID: PMC10525615 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11092468] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2023] [Revised: 08/13/2023] [Accepted: 08/17/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The extent of nerve involvement in leprosy is highly variable in distribution and clinical presentation. Mononeuropathies, multiple mononeuropathies, and polyneuropathies can present both in the context of a cutaneous and/or systemic picture and in the form of pure neuritic leprosy (PNL). The differential diagnosis of leprosy neuropathy remains challenging because it is a very rare condition and, especially in Western countries, is often overlooked. We report one case of the polyneuropathic form of PNL (P-PNL) and one case of multiple mononeuropathy in paucibacillary leprosy. In both cases, the diagnosis was achieved by performing a sural nerve biopsy, which showed subverted structure, severe infiltration of inflammatory cells in nerve fascicles, granulomatous abnormalities, and the presence of alcohol-acid-resistant, Ziehl-Neelsen-positive bacilli inside the nerve bundles. Leprosy remains an endemic disease in many areas of the world, and globalization has led to the spread of cases in previously disease-free countries. In this perspective, our report emphasizes that the diagnostic possibility of leprosy neuropathy should always be taken into account, even in Western countries, in the differential diagnostic process of an acquired sensory polyneuropathy or multineuropathy and confirms that nerve biopsy remains a useful procedure in working up neuropathies with unknown etiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefano Cotti Piccinelli
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, 25100 Brescia, Italy; (S.C.P.); (B.L.); (B.R.); (A.P.)
- NeMO-Brescia Clinical Center for Neuromuscular Diseases, Guusago, 25064 Brescia, Italy; (F.C.); (S.D.)
| | - Matteo Tagliapietra
- Neurology Unit, Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, 37100 Verona, Italy; (M.T.); (T.C.); (S.F.)
| | - Tiziana Cavallaro
- Neurology Unit, Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, 37100 Verona, Italy; (M.T.); (T.C.); (S.F.)
| | - Beatrice Labella
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, 25100 Brescia, Italy; (S.C.P.); (B.L.); (B.R.); (A.P.)
- Unit of Neurology, ASST Spedali Civili, 25100 Brescia, Italy;
| | - Barbara Risi
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, 25100 Brescia, Italy; (S.C.P.); (B.L.); (B.R.); (A.P.)
- NeMO-Brescia Clinical Center for Neuromuscular Diseases, Guusago, 25064 Brescia, Italy; (F.C.); (S.D.)
| | - Filomena Caria
- NeMO-Brescia Clinical Center for Neuromuscular Diseases, Guusago, 25064 Brescia, Italy; (F.C.); (S.D.)
| | - Simona Damioli
- NeMO-Brescia Clinical Center for Neuromuscular Diseases, Guusago, 25064 Brescia, Italy; (F.C.); (S.D.)
| | - Loris Poli
- Unit of Neurology, ASST Spedali Civili, 25100 Brescia, Italy;
| | - Alessandro Padovani
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, 25100 Brescia, Italy; (S.C.P.); (B.L.); (B.R.); (A.P.)
- Unit of Neurology, ASST Spedali Civili, 25100 Brescia, Italy;
| | - Sergio Ferrari
- Neurology Unit, Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, 37100 Verona, Italy; (M.T.); (T.C.); (S.F.)
| | - Massimiliano Filosto
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, 25100 Brescia, Italy; (S.C.P.); (B.L.); (B.R.); (A.P.)
- NeMO-Brescia Clinical Center for Neuromuscular Diseases, Guusago, 25064 Brescia, Italy; (F.C.); (S.D.)
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Sugawara-Mikami M, Tanigawa K, Kawashima A, Kiriya M, Nakamura Y, Fujiwara Y, Suzuki K. Pathogenicity and virulence of Mycobacterium leprae. Virulence 2022; 13:1985-2011. [PMID: 36326715 PMCID: PMC9635560 DOI: 10.1080/21505594.2022.2141987] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Leprosy is caused by Mycobacterium leprae (M. leprae) and M. lepromatosis, an obligate intracellular organism, and over 200,000 new cases occur every year. M. leprae parasitizes histiocytes (skin macrophages) and Schwann cells in the peripheral nerves. Although leprosy can be treated by multidrug therapy, some patients relapse or have a prolonged clinical course and/or experience leprosy reaction. These varying outcomes depend on host factors such as immune responses against bacterial components that determine a range of symptoms. To understand these host responses, knowledge of the mechanisms by which M. leprae parasitizes host cells is important. This article describes the characteristics of leprosy through bacteriology, genetics, epidemiology, immunology, animal models, routes of infection, and clinical findings. It also discusses recent diagnostic methods, treatment, and measures according to the World Health Organization (WHO), including prevention. Recently, the antibacterial activities of anti-hyperlipidaemia agents against other pathogens, such as M. tuberculosis and Staphylococcus aureus have been investigated. Our laboratory has been focused on the metabolism of lipids which constitute the cell wall of M. leprae. Our findings may be useful for the development of future treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariko Sugawara-Mikami
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Science, Faculty of Medical Technology, Teikyo University, Tokyo, Japan.,West Yokohama Sugawara Dermatology Clinic, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Kazunari Tanigawa
- Department of Molecular Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharma-Science, Teikyo University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Akira Kawashima
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Science, Faculty of Medical Technology, Teikyo University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Mitsuo Kiriya
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Science, Faculty of Medical Technology, Teikyo University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yasuhiro Nakamura
- Department of Molecular Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharma-Science, Teikyo University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yoko Fujiwara
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Science, Faculty of Medical Technology, Teikyo University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Koichi Suzuki
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Science, Faculty of Medical Technology, Teikyo University, Tokyo, Japan
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