Vitamin A, C, D, E and B12 levels in leprosy: A case control study

• Published in: Journal of the neurological sciences Vol. 405; p. 245
• Main Authors: Kumar, N., Malhotra, H.S., Garg, V., Garg, R.K., Malhotra, K.P.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 15.10.2019
• Subjects: Leprosy; Mycobacterium leprae; Neurology; Neuropathy; Vitamin; Leprosy; Mycobacterium leprae; Neuropathy; Vitamin
• ISSN: 0022-510X; 1878-5883
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jns.2019.10.1264

Vitamins are essential part of nutrition and well-being. Many reports indicate that vitamins may influence the etio-pathogenesis of leprosy. We aimed to compare blood vitamin (A, C, D, E and B12) levels in recently diagnosed leprosy patients with healthy controls. We enrolled 60 newly- diagnosed patients of leprosy. We also included age and sex matched control subjects. All patients were categorized according to World Health Organization classification and the Ridley Jopling classification of leprosy. Vitamins A, C, D, E and B12 levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Out of 60, 55% patients had paucibacillary leprosy whereas 45% had multibacillary. Mononeuritis multiplex was the commonest electrophysiological finding. The levels of vitamin A, C, D, E and B12 were significantly lower in leprosy cases as compared to healthy controls (P<0.05). Multibacillary cases showed significantly lower levels of all the vitamins as compared to paucibacillary cases (P<0.05). Lepromatous leprosy cases showed lowest vitamin levels. Vitamin levels in leprosy is lower indicating nutritional deficiencies. This deficient state may be an important risk factor for leprosy susceptibility.