ArticleIndian journal of dermatology, venereology and leprology
Increased serum levels of interleukin-6 in erythema nodosum leprosum suggest its use as a biomarker.
Article in Indian journal of dermatology, venereology and leprology. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 8 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.
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Who cites it
8 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it, 12 citations in OpenAlex.
- Descriptions of the natural history of erythema nodosum leprosum to inform clinical classification - A semi-systematic review.PLoS neglected tropical diseases · 2026Pooled it
- Longitudinal performance of the ENLIST ENL severity scale in individuals with severe erythema nodosum leprosum: Responsiveness, trajectories and clinical features - a secondary analysis of the Methotrexate and Prednisolone study - MaPs in ENL.PLoS neglected tropical diseases · 2026Trial
- Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio as a biomarker in erythema nodosum leprosum: A systematic review and meta-analysis.New microbes and new infections · 2026Review
- Necrotic erythema nodosum leprosum - A case of severe lepromatous reaction in a multibacillary leprosy patient.IDCases · 2025Article
- Analysis of interleukin 7 and platelet-derived growth factor-BB mRNA expression as potential markers in erythema nodosum leprosum.Dermatology reports · 2024Article
- Th17 Cells and Cytokines in Leprosy: Understanding the Immune Response and Polarization.Revista da Sociedade Brasileira de Medicina Tropical · 2023Review
- Diagnostic Value of Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio, Lymphocyte-to-Monocyte Ratio, and Platelet-to-Lymphocyte Ratio in the Diagnosis of Erythema Nodosum Leprosum: A Retrospective Study.Tropical medicine and infectious disease · 2022Article
- Neutrophil NETworking in ENL: Potential as a Putative Biomarker: Future Insights.Frontiers in medicine · 2021Review
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8 authors at 2 institutions in 1 country.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundErythema nodosum leprosum (ENL) is a frequent complication of multibacillary leprosy that can result in significant morbidity, including peripheral nerve damage and physical disability. The identification of possible serum markers could be a valuable tool for the early detection of ENL.
aimsThe purpose of this study was to evaluate selected serum mediators involved in the innate and adaptive immune responses to identify possible immunomarkers for ENL.
methodsThe levels of interleukin-2, interleukin-4, interleukin-6, interleukin-10, interleukin-17, interferon-γ, tumor necrosis factor, nitric oxide and anti-phenolic glycolipid-I antibodies were measured in the sera of leprosy patients with ENL [at the beginning of reaction (M0) and 1 month later (M1)], and then compared with the levels of the same markers in patients with untreated multibacillary leprosy without ENL (controls with leprosy: CTRL) and healthy individuals (healthy controls: CTRH).
resultsSignificantly higher levels of serum interleukin-6 were observed in M0 than in CTRL. In addition, pairwise comparisons showed higher levels of interleukin-6 in M0 compared to M1. Levels of tumor necrosis factor were higher in M0 than in CTRL, with no significant difference between M0 and M1. There were no differences in the levels of interleukin-2, interleukin-4, interleukin-10, interleukin-17 or interferon-γ between groups. The CTRL group had higher levels of nitric oxide compared to M0 and M1. High levels of anti-phenolic glycolipid-I were observed in M0, M1 and CTRL than in CTRH. LIMITATIONS: Three patients were not assessed at M1, decreasing the number of evaluated patients from 14 to 11.
conclusionHigh-serum levels of interleukin-6 were observed during ENL, primarily in patients with more severe reactions; levels decreased after specific therapy, suggesting a role for this cytokine in pathogenesis and its utility as an ENL biomarker. Further studies should explore whether interleukin-6 could also be used as a predictive marker for ENL or as a specific target for its treatment.
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