@article{95328,
  author = {Junior G and Kurizky P and Cerqueira S and Barroso D and Schulte H and de Albuquerque C and de Gois E and Espindola L and Santana J and Bastos I and de Araújo C and da Mota L and Nóbrega O and Gomes CM},
  title = {Enhanced IL-6 and IL-12B Gene Expression After SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Leprosy Patients May Increase the Risk of Neural Damage.},
  abstract = {<p>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.</p>},
  year = {2021},
  journal = {The American journal of tropical medicine and hygiene},
  month = {04/2021},
  issn = {1476-1645},
  url = {https://www.ajtmh.org/view/journals/tpmd/aop/article-10.4269-ajtmh.21-0034/article-10.4269-ajtmh.21-0034.xml?tab_body=pdf},
  doi = {10.4269/ajtmh.21-0034},
  language = {eng},
}