Cytokine polymorphisms and susceptibility to leprosy / Polimorfismos de citocinas e susceptibilidade à hanseníase

Cytokines play a key role in the regulation of the immune response against infectious diseases. In leprosy, the polymorphisms of pro-inflammatory cytokine genes may contribute to host susceptibility to Mycobacterium leprae. The objective of this study was to investigate the association between cytokine gene polymorphisms and BCG protection against leprosy in Brazilian leprosy cases and controls. DNA samples were obtained from 46 patients with leprosy and 83 healthy controls (not leprosy contacts). All genotyping (TNF alpha, IFN gamma, IL-6, IL-10 and TGF beta) measurements were taken using sequence-specific primers (SSP) - PCR. When compared to the healthy controls, no significant associations were observed between the cytokine gene polymorphisms studied and their susceptibility to leprosy. The most frequent genotypes in this population were TNF alpha ?G? allele and G/G genotype at position -308, ?A? allele of IFN gamma at position +874, G allele in the IL-6 at position -174, G allele (codon 25) and T/C-G/G genotype in TGF beta, and ?A? allele in IL-10 at position -1082. For those individuals that had a BCG scar, the TGF beta and IFN gamma genotype polymorphisms did not show difference among leprosy patients compared to healthy controls. Polymorphisms of the cytokine genes studied were not associated with an increased occurrence of leprosy.

Perfil epidemiológico dos pacientes diagnosticados com hanseníase através de exame de contato no município de Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ / Epidemiological profile of patients diagnosed with leprosy by contact exam in the municipality of Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ

JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: Realizou-se esse estudo para obter informações pontuais visando estabelecer e valorizar medidas de controle da cadeia epidemiológica da doença. O objetivo deste estudo foi investigar a prevalência de pacientes diagnosticados com hanseníase por exame de contato assim como o seu perfil epidemiológico. MÉTODO: Trata-se de um estudo transversal composto por 82 pacientes diagnosticados por exame de contato entre 2006 e 2010, a partir da análise das fichas de notificação do SINAN (Sistema de Informação de Agravos de Notificação) disponíveis no Programa Municipal de Controle da Hanseníase. Foi determinada a prevalência deste modo de detecção em relação ao número total de casos e as variáveis analisadas foram: sexo, idade, formas clínicas e classificação operacional. RESULTADOS: Constatou-se prevalência de 16% de pacientes detectados por exame de contato do total de 564 casos notificados. Observou-se que 51% eram do sexo feminino. A faixa etária mais acometida englobou crianças até 15 anos, correspondendo a 25% (21 casos). A classificação operacional paucibacilar foi a mais prevalente com 75% do total, sendo a forma tuberculoide presente em 50% dos casos. CONCLUSÃO: Observou-se a importância do exame de contato para interromper a cadeia epidemiológica da doença, diagnosticando precocemente sinais e sintomas e instituindo o tratamento adequado, para que possam evitar as formas graves da doença, incluindo suas incapacidades.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: We conducted this study to obtain specific information to establish and enhance measures to control disease epidemiological chair. The objective of this study were investigated the prevalence of patients diagnosed with leprosy by examination of contact as well as the epidemiological profile of them. METHOD: This is a cross-sectional study comprising 82 patients diagnosed by examination of contact between 2006 and 2010, from the analysis of reporting forms SINAN (Information System for Notifiable Diseases) available in the Municipal Program for the Control of Leprosy. We determined the prevalence of this mode of detection in the total number of cases and the variables analyzed were gender, age, clinical forms and clinical classification. RESULTS: We found prevalence of 16% of patients detected by contact exam of the total 564 cases reported. It was observed that 51% were female. The most affected age group comprised children less than 15 years, corresponding to 25% (21 cases). The operational classification paucibacillary was most prevalent with 75% of the total, with the tuberculoid form present in 50% of cases. CONCLUSION: It may be noted the importance of this contact to stop the epidemiology of the disease, diagnosing early signsand symptoms and instituting proper treatment so they can prevent serious disease, including their disabilities the total number of cases and the variables analyzed were gender, age, clinical forms and clinical classification.