Positive Correlation of Plasma Interleukin-6 Levels with Immunoglobulin M (IgM) Anti Phenolic Glycolipid-1 (PGL-1) Levels in Household Contacts of Multibacillary Leprosy Patients

Abstract

Background/aim: Leprosy is a chronic infectious disease that can be cured but causes high morbidity because it causes disability. Leprosy is caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium leprae, an obligate intracellular virulence factor in the form of phenolic glycolipid-1 (PGL-1), a capsule component in M. leprae. This study aims for known Increased IL-6 correlation with IgM anti PGL-1 level in household contacts of multibacillary leprosy patient. Methods: Analytical observational study with a cross-sectional approach. The sample consisted of 42 household contact persons and 22 non-contact samples aged 18-65 years who were selected through consecutive sampling according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Samples of 3 millilitres of venous blood were taken, which would then be examined for PGL-1 and IL-6 with the ELISA kit. Data analysis with SPSS version 23 and p-value <0.05 was significant Results: The average anti-PGL-1 IgM level in the household contact group was 636.76±288.45 u/ml, while in the non-contact group, it was 211.00±237.43 u/ml. The average IL-6 level in the household contact group was 20.28 ± 12.54 pg/ml, while in the non-contact group, it was 8.29 ± 2.88 pg/ml. There was a significant difference in the levels of IL-6 and anti-PGL-1 IgM in the household contact and non-contact groups (p<0.001). This study found a strong positive relationship (r=0.620, p<0.001) between IL-6 levels and anti-PGL-1 IgM levels. Conclusion: IgM anti-PGL-1 and IL-6 levels in household contacts were higher than in non-contacts, with a significant difference. There is a significant positive relationship between IL-6 and anti-PGL-1 IgM levels. Keywords: leprosy, contacts, IgM anti-PGL-1, IL-6