Enhanced IL-6 and IL-12B Gene Expression After SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Leprosy Patients May Increase the Risk of Neural Damage

• Published in: The American journal of tropical medicine and hygiene Vol. 104; no. 6; pp. 2190 - 2194
• Main Authors: Santos Morais Junior, Gilberto, Shu Kurizky, Patrícia, Penha Silva Cerqueira, Selma Regina, Holanda Barroso, Daniel, Schulte, Heidi Luise, Pires de Albuquerque, Cleandro, Teles de Gois, Eliana, Salmen Espindola, Laila, Martins Santana, Jaime, Marques Dourado Bastos, Izabela, Nunes de Araújo, Carla, Henrique da Mota, Licia Maria, Toledo Nóbrega, Otávio, Martins Gomes, Ciro
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Institute of Tropical Medicine 01.06.2021; The American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
• Subjects: Adult; Coronaviruses; COVID-19; COVID-19 - complications; COVID-19 - immunology; COVID-19 - metabolism; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Gene expression; Gene Expression Regulation - immunology; Humans; Interleukin-12 - genetics; Interleukin-12 - metabolism; Interleukin-6 - genetics; Interleukin-6 - metabolism; Leprosy; Leprosy - complications; Male; Middle Aged; Peripheral Nerve Injuries - etiology; Peripheral Nerve Injuries - metabolism; Peripheral Nerve Injuries - pathology; Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2
• ISSN: 0002-9637; 1476-1645
• DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.21-0034

Experts have called attention to the possible negative impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-related cytokine storm syndrome on the progression of leprosy-related disabilities. We assessed the frequency of reactional states in patients co-infected with Mycobacterium leprae and severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) coronavirus (CoV) 2 (SARS-CoV-2). We consecutively included patients during the first peak of the COVID-19 epidemic in Brazil and analyzed the expressions of genes encoding interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-12A, IL-12B, and tumor necrosis factor-α in peripheral blood mononuclear cells. We included 64 leprosy patients and 50 controls. Twelve of the leprosy patients and 14 of the controls had been diagnosed with COVID-19. Co-infection was associated with increased IL-6 (P = 0.043) and IL-12B (P = 0.017) expression. The median disability grades were higher for leprosy/COVID-19 patients; however, the difference was not significant (P = 0.194). Patients co-infected with M. leprae and SARS-CoV-2 may experience a higher-grade proinflammatory state.