@article{103244,
  keywords = {Autoimmunity, leprosy, Vitamin D},
  author = {da Silva G and Aarão T and Modesto L and Ferreira L and de Souza P and Rocha R and Falcão L and Quaresma J},
  title = {Autoantibodies and vitamin D in leprosy patients in the Brazilian Amazon.},
  abstract = {<p><strong>Introduction</strong></p>

<p>Leprosy can vary in clinical forms, resulting in dermatoneurological disease with physical disabilities and leprosy reactions. This reaction involves complex immune system activity that can be influenced by vitamin D activity. The objective of this study was to evaluate the presence of autoantibodies in leprosy patients in Marabá, associating it with sociodemographic aspects and vitamin D levels.</p>

<p><strong>Materials and methods</strong></p>

<p>Cross-sectional study with leprosy patients treated at a Family Health Unit. Surveys of autoantibodies, vitamin D, and sociodemographic aspects were conducted.</p>

<p><strong>Results</strong></p>

<p>Most patients were male (63.4%), aged equal or over 15 years old (80.5%), brown (68.3%), incomplete elementary education (41.5%) and earning between US$203.88 and US$407.76. The presence of autoantibodies was identified, with the most prevalent being anti-β2-GPI IgM and ANA (AC-2, AC-4, and AC-20), both in 14.6% of participants, with statistical significance in the positivity of anti-β2-GPI IgM in multibacillary patients. The average vitamin D level was 29.3 ng/mL, with 43.8 ng/mL for tuberculoid, 28.5 ng/mL for borderline, and 24.9 ng/mL for lepromatous.</p>

<p><strong>Conclusion</strong></p>

<p>Our study demonstrated the presence of autoantibodies in leprosy patients in Marabá, more frequently in the lepromatous clinical form, and low levels of vitamin D in reactional states.</p>
},
  year = {2026},
  journal = {BMC infectious diseases},
  pages = {1-44},
  month = {01/2026},
  issn = {1471-2334},
  url = {https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1186/s12879-026-12578-2_reference.pdf},
  doi = {10.1186/s12879-026-12578-2},
  language = {ENG},
}