Enhanced IL-6 and IL-12B Gene Expression After SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Leprosy Patients May Increase the Risk of Neural Damage

Santos Morais Junior, Gilberto; Shu Kurizky, Patrícia; Penha Silva Cerqueira, Selma Regina; Holanda Barroso, Daniel; Schulte, Heidi Luise; Pires de Albuquerque, Cleandro; Teles de Gois, Eliana; Salmen Espindola, Laila; Martins Santana, Jaime; Marques Dourado Bastos, Izabela; Nunes de Araújo, Carla; Henrique da Mota, Licia Maria; Toledo Nóbrega, Otávio; Martins Gomes, Ciro

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.