Inflammatory cytokines in leprosy reactions and periodontal diseases.

The inflammatory cytokines involved in the immune response to chronic periodontal disease (CPD) in the context of leprosy reactions (LR) were analyzed in 57 new cases of multibacillary leprosy (MBL). They were stratified by the presence of CPD and LR. Messenger RNA (mRNA) expression of inflammatory mediators was determined by qRT-PCR using skin biopsy and by ELISA using serum samples, maintaining 5% of significance level in ANOVA and correlation analyses. Twenty-three (40.4%) patients presented the first LR, whereas 22 (45.0%) patients presented CPD. IL-4 and IL-6 serum levels were significantly lower in patients with CPD and LR than in patients without CPD but with LR; IFN-γ serum levels were higher in patients with CPD and LR than in patients with no CPD and no LR; IL-4 serum levels were negatively correlated with TNF-α gene expression, while IL-6 serum levels were positively correlated with IFN-γ gene expression, in the skin of subjects with CPD and LR. The presence of DPC in individuals with LR immunoregulated IL-6, IFN-γ, and IL-4 concentrations. The presence of DPC decreased serum levels of IL-6 and IL-4 in reactional individuals. CPD concomitant to LR resulted in increased IFN-γ serum levels.

Inflammatory cytokines in leprosy reactions and periodontal diseases

The inflammatory cytokines involved in the immune response to chronic periodontal disease (CPD) in the context of leprosy reactions (LR) were analyzed in 57 new cases of multibacillary leprosy (MBL). They were stratified by the presence of CPD and LR. Messenger RNA (mRNA) expression of inflammatory mediators was determined by qRT-PCR using skin biopsy and by ELISA using serum samples, maintaining 5% of significance level in ANOVA and correlation analyses. Twenty-three (40.4%) patients presented the first LR, whereas 22 (45.0%) patients presented CPD. IL-4 and IL-6 serum levels were significantly lower in patients with CPD and LR than in patients without CPD but with LR; IFN-γ serum levels were higher in patients with CPD and LR than in patients with no CPD and no LR; IL-4 serum levels were negatively correlated with TNF-α gene expression, while IL-6 serum levels were positively correlated with IFN-γ gene expression, in the skin of subjects with CPD and LR. The presence of DPC in individuals with LR immunoregulated IL-6, IFN-γ, and IL-4 concentrations. The presence of DPC decreased serum levels of IL-6 and IL-4 in reactional individuals. CPD concomitant to LR resulted in increased IFN-γ serum levels.

Análise espacial dos casos de hanseníase, com enfoque à área de risco, em uma unidade básica de saúde no município de Cáceres (MT) / Spatial analysis of leprosy cases with focus for risk area in a basic health unit, Cáceres (MT)

OBJETIVO: Identificar áreas de risco para a ocorrência de hanseníase e a relação de contatos domiciliares e de vizinhança no território de adscrição de uma unidade de saúde da família em Cáceres (MT). MÉTODOS: Estudo ecológico de análise espacial da hanseníase dos casos novos diagnosticados no período de 2001 a 2007. A posição geográfica de cada caso novo foi identificada por meio de Global Position Space. Para estimar a área de influência dos casos, utilizou-se técnica de buffer. RESULTADOS: Foram diagnosticados 34 casos novos de hanseníase, e observou-se que 35,3% dos casos novos diagnosticados eram contatos domiciliares ou de vizinhança e, para cada seis casos novos diagnosticados, um contato apresentou hanseníase. CONCLUSÃO: As residências de indivíduos diagnosticados com hanseníase e domicílios vizinhos configuram-se como as principais áreas de risco para a ocorrência de casos novos da doença, corroborando o exame de contatos relevante para o controle da endemia.

OBJECTIVE: To identify risk areas for the occurrence of leprosy and the relationship of household contacts and neighborhood in a basic health family in Cáceres-MT. METHODS: Ecological study of spacial analysis of leprosy from 2001 to 2007. The geographical position of each new case was identified by Global Position Space. To estimate the area of ​​influence of cases used the technique of buffer. RESULTS: Thirty-four new leprosy cases were detected and 35.3% of new cases were household contacts or neighborhood. For every six new case diagnosed, a contact had leprosy. CONCLUSION: The residences of individuals diagnosed with leprosy and neighboring households appear as the main risk areas for the occurrence of new cases of the disease, confirming the investigation of contacts relevant to leprosy control.