About this Research Topic
Among the cases diagnosed as Leprosy, 30 to 50% of them have a reaction state over the course of the disease. These reactions are acute inflammatory manifestations and may occur before the diagnosis of the disease, during or after treatment. They represent a major problem in the course of Leprosy, as reaction episodes can cause permanent damage to nerves, leading to deformities and physical disabilities.
There are two main types of reaction states: Type 1 reaction or Reverse Reaction (RR) and Type 2 reaction or Erythema Nodosum Leprosum (ENL). In addition to these, the Lucio phenomenon is a rare complication affecting patients with Mexican and Central American ancestors characterized by an acute and severe necrotizing vasculitis, accompanied by profound anemia, requiring intensive monitoring.
Leprosy can be cured with modern, multi-drug therapy. Reactions are often treated with immune-suppressants, mainly steroids and sometimes Thalidomide. However, the treatment for leprosy can also lead to the appearance of the above-mentioned reactional episodes (manifestations of acute inflammatory responses).
According to this, future research efforts must be directed towards the discovery of new biomarkers for early detection of reactional episodes, in order to prevent physical disabilities and additional transmission.
Our understanding of the immunopathology of Type 1 and ENL reactions is limited by the small number of studies that have been done with good clinical correlation and long-term outcomes.
Type 1 reactions are due to increased immune activation while ENL reactions are associated with a complex activation of different pathways including neutrophils, immune complexes, and T and B cells.
With this Research Topic we aim to collect well design studies that look at immunopathology of Leprosy reactions, both Type 1 Reactions and ENL, and to the susceptibility of the patients to develop such reactions. Studies on the treatment of reactions and the effects that these have are also welcome, together with studies on the connection between immunosuppressants and reactions.
In short, the objective of this Research Topic is to disseminate the theme proposed here, through publications (Original Research and Review articles), on the discovery and application of biomarkers that contribute to the understanding of reaction episodes in Leprosy.
There are two main types of reaction states: Type 1 reaction or Reverse Reaction (RR) and Type 2 reaction or Erythema Nodosum Leprosum (ENL). In addition to these, the Lucio phenomenon is a rare complication affecting patients with Mexican and Central American ancestors characterized by an acute and severe necrotizing vasculitis, accompanied by profound anemia, requiring intensive monitoring.
Leprosy can be cured with modern, multi-drug therapy. Reactions are often treated with immune-suppressants, mainly steroids and sometimes Thalidomide. However, the treatment for leprosy can also lead to the appearance of the above-mentioned reactional episodes (manifestations of acute inflammatory responses).
According to this, future research efforts must be directed towards the discovery of new biomarkers for early detection of reactional episodes, in order to prevent physical disabilities and additional transmission.
Our understanding of the immunopathology of Type 1 and ENL reactions is limited by the small number of studies that have been done with good clinical correlation and long-term outcomes.
Type 1 reactions are due to increased immune activation while ENL reactions are associated with a complex activation of different pathways including neutrophils, immune complexes, and T and B cells.
With this Research Topic we aim to collect well design studies that look at immunopathology of Leprosy reactions, both Type 1 Reactions and ENL, and to the susceptibility of the patients to develop such reactions. Studies on the treatment of reactions and the effects that these have are also welcome, together with studies on the connection between immunosuppressants and reactions.
In short, the objective of this Research Topic is to disseminate the theme proposed here, through publications (Original Research and Review articles), on the discovery and application of biomarkers that contribute to the understanding of reaction episodes in Leprosy.
Keywords: Leprosy, Reactional Episodes, Biomarkers, Early Diagnosis
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