Increased oxidative stress in elderly leprosy patients is related to age but not to bacillary load.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Leprosy continues to be a public health problem in Brazil. Furthermore, detection rates in elderly people have increased, particularly those of multibacillary (L-Lep) patients, who are responsible for transmitting M. leprae. Part of the decline in physiological function during aging is due to increased oxidative damage and change in T cell subpopulations, which are critical in defense against the disease. It is not still clear how age-related changes like those related to oxidation affect elderly people with leprosy. The aim of this work was to verify whether the elderly leprosy patients have higher ROS production and how it can impact the evolution of leprosy.

Methodology/principal findings

87 leprosy patients, grouped according to age range and clinical form of

SUBMITTER: da Silva PHL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7978340 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature