Author:
Moraes Ana Clara Cadidé Gonzaga,da Luz Renata Clesia Feitosa Viana,Fernandes André Luís Magalhães,Barbosa Milena Xavier Silva,de Andrade Lorena Viana,Armstrong Anderson da Costa,de Souza Carlos Dornels Freire,do Carmo Rodrigo Feliciano
Abstract
Abstract
Background
Pentraxin 3 (PTX3) is a soluble pattern recognition receptor that plays a crucial role in modulating the inflammatory response and activating the complement system. Additionally, plasma PTX3 has emerged as a potential biomarker for various infectious diseases. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association of PTX3 gene polymorphisms and PTX3 plasma levels with susceptibility to leprosy and clinical characteristics.
Methods
Patients with leprosy from a hyperendemic area in the Northeast Region of Brazil were included. Healthy household contacts and healthy blood donors from the same geographical area were recruited as a control group. The rs1840680 and rs2305619 polymorphisms of PTX3 were determined by real-time PCR. Plasma levels of PTX3 were determined by ELISA.
Results
A total of 512 individuals were included. Of these, 273 were patients diagnosed with leprosy; 53 were household contacts, and 186 were healthy blood donors. No association was observed between PTX3 polymorphisms and susceptibility to leprosy or development of leprosy reaction or physical disability. On the other hand, plasma levels of PTX3 were significantly higher in patients with leprosy when compared to household contacts (p = 0.003) or blood donors (p = 0.04). It was also observed that PTX3 levels drop significantly after multidrug therapy (p < 0.0001).
Conclusions
Our results suggest that PTX3 may play an important role in the pathogenesis of leprosy and point to the potential use of this molecule as an infection marker.
Funder
Fundação de Amparo à Ciência e Tecnologia do Estado de Pernambuco
Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC