High levels of inflammatory cytokines are associated with poor clinical response to steroid treatment and recurrent episodes of type 1 reactions in leprosy

Abstract

SUMMARY Levels of leprosy antigen-induced interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin-10 (IL-10) were measured in 96 leprosy patients with type 1 reactions (T1R) before, during and after a standard 12-week course of steroids. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from leprosy patients with untreated T1R produced significantly more TNF-α than leprosy patients without T1R. Median levels of IFN-γ and TNF-α in T1R patients fell during treatment with steroids; however, TNF-α levels increased as the steroid dose was reduced. Median IL-10 levels increased throughout the steroid treatment period and were associated strongly with TNF-α levels. Patients with high cytokine levels had a poorer recovery of sensory or voluntary muscle nerve function, a higher risk of reactivation of symptoms during steroid treatment, and a higher risk of another episode of T1R within 2 months of completing the steroid regimen. Rapid and effective reversal of the inflammatory process in T1R is critical to prevent permanent nerve damage from T1R and monitoring cytokine levels during treatment may be useful.