From inflammatory mediators to immune response: A comprehensive analysis of immune impairment in patients with polymicrobial forms of leprosy

Abstract

Leprosy is a chronic infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae that primarily affects the skin and peripheral nervous system. In the polymicrobial form of leprosy, the intertwining of ever-increasing pathogens and overloaded immune responses leads to significant tissue damage. This article analyzes the background of leprosy and the polymicrobial form of the disease, describes the process of activation of the immune system by antigenic exposure to leprosy, the associated mediators produced and the mechanisms of immune injury, and describes the limitations and future directions of research in patients with the polymicrobial form of leprosy, as well as exploring in detail how the cytokines and chemokines produced in the process affect the structure and function of the tissues. The mechanisms of the immune mediators produced that cause tissue injury. In addition, this review discusses the limitations and future directions of current research on immune injury in leprosy, which will provide a reference direction for future research to improve the prevention, diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of leprosy.