Mycobacterium Leprae-host-cell Interactions and Genetic Determinants in Leprosy: an Overview

Overview

Journal Future Microbiol

Specialties Infectious Diseases
Microbiology

Date 2011 Mar 4

PMID 21366421

Citations 30

Authors

Roberta Olmo Pinheiro

Jorgenilce de Souza Salles

Euzenir Nunes Sarno

Elizabeth Pereira Sampaio

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Leprosy, also known as Hansen's disease, is a chronic infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae in which susceptibility to the mycobacteria and its clinical manifestations are attributed to the host immune response. Even though leprosy prevalence has decreased dramatically, the high number of new cases indicates active transmission. Owing to its singular features, M. leprae infection is an attractive model for investigating the regulation of human immune responses to pathogen-induced disease. Leprosy is one of the most common causes of nontraumatic peripheral neuropathy worldwide. The proportion of patients with disabilities is affected by the type of leprosy and delay in diagnosis. This article briefly reviews the clinical features as well as the immunopathological mechanisms related to the establishment of the different polar forms of leprosy, the mechanisms related to M. leprae-host cell interactions and prophylaxis and diagnosis of this complex disease. Host genetic factors are summarized and the impact of the development of interventions that prevent, reverse or limit leprosy-related nerve impairments are discussed.

Citing Articles

The landscape of chemokine and cytokine is associated with the distinct clinical status of leprosy patients and their respective household contacts.

Pereira de Oliveira L, Marcal P, Campos K, Dos Santos D, Lima M, Martins-Filho O Front Immunol. 2025; 15:1476450.

PMID: 39744632 PMC: 11688302. DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1476450.

The Neurological Impact of Leprosy: Manifestations and Treatment Approaches.

Calderone A, Aloisi M, Casella C, Fiannacca S, Cosenza B, Quartarone A Neurol Int. 2024; 16(6):1492-1508.

PMID: 39585070 PMC: 11587477. DOI: 10.3390/neurolint16060111.

Unmasking the Hidden Burden: A Delayed Diagnosis of Leprosy Patients With Grade 2 Disability and Its Effects on the Healthcare System in Bangladesh.

Sinha S, Haq M, Ahmad R, Banik S, Kumar S, Haque M Cureus. 2024; 16(4):e58708.

PMID: 38651088 PMC: 11033826. DOI: 10.7759/cureus.58708.

Xenophagy as a Strategy for Elimination during Type 1 or Type 2 Leprosy Reactions: A Systematic Review.

Cerqueira D, Pereira A, da Costa A, de Souza T, de Sousa Fernandes M, Souto F Pathogens. 2023; 12(12).

PMID: 38133338 PMC: 10747110. DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12121455.

Cytokines profile in pure neural leprosy.

Pitta I, Angst D, Pinheiro R, Vieira J, Spitz C, Andrade L Front Immunol. 2023; 14:1272471.

PMID: 38116016 PMC: 10728593. DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1272471.

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