Profile of Serum Interferon Gamma Induced Protein 10 in Borderline Leprosy Patients with and without Type 1 Leprosy Reaction

Background: Leprosy reaction is an acute episode in leprosy characterized by acute inflammation sometimes accompanied with systemic symptoms. Leprosy type 1 reaction often occurs in borderline leprosy patients. Leprosy type 1 reaction can cause peripheral  nerve damage through neuritis that can lead to disability. Interferon-γ induced protein 10 (IP10) is a chemokine with chemotaxis function to various immune cells such as macrophage, dendritic cells, Natural Killer cells, and activated T lymphocites. Several studies have found an increase of IP10 serum level when type 1 reaction occurred. Purpose: To evaluate the profile of IP10 serum levels in borderline patients with and without type 1 leprosy reaction. Methods: This is a descriptive cross-sectional study, with 34 borderline leprosy patients of which 17 had leprosy type 1 reaction and 17 without reaction that qualify inclusion and exclusion criteria. Results: Mean serum IP10 levels in leprosy type 1 reaction groups are 594,123 ± 327,628 pg/mL and 331,648 ± 101,819 pg/mL in groups without reaction. Conclusions: Serum IP10 levels in borderline leprosy patient with type 1 reaction  is higher than patients without reaction, although confounding factors in borderline leprosy patients with type 1 reaction that can influence serum IP10 levels cannot be eliminated. Further studies are needed to reveal the role of IP`10 in type 1 leprosy reaction.