In:
PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases, Public Library of Science (PLoS), Vol. 17, No. 6 ( 2023-6-5), p. e0011383-
Abstract:
Leprosy is caused by multiple interactions between Mycobacterium leprae (M . leprae) and the host’s peripheral nerve cells. M . leprae primarily invades Schwann cells, causing nerve damage and consequent development of disabilities. Despite its long history, the pathophysiological mechanisms of nerve damage in the lepromatous pole of leprosy remain poorly understood. This study used the findings of 18F-FDG PET/CT on the peripheral nerves of eight lepromatous patients to evaluate the degree of glucose uptake by peripheral nerves and compared them with clinical, electrophysiological, and histopathological evaluations. Methods Eight patients with lepromatous leprosy were included in this study. Six patients were evaluated up to three months after leprosy diagnosis using neurological examination, nerve conduction study, 18F-FDG PET/CT, and nerve biopsy. Two others were evaluated during an episode of acute neuritis, with clinical, neurophysiological, and PET-CT examinations to compare the images with the first six. Results Initially, six patients already had signs of peripheral nerve injury, regardless of symptoms; however, they did not present with signs of neuritis, and there was little or no uptake of 18F-FDG in the clinically and electrophysiologically affected nerves. Two patients with signs of acute neuritis had 18F-FDG uptake in the affected nerves. Conclusions 18F-FDG uptake correlates with clinical neuritis in lepromatous leprosy patients but not in silent neuritis patients. 18F-FDG PET-CT could be a useful tool to confirm neuritis, especially in cases that are difficult to diagnose, such as for the differential diagnosis between a new episode of neuritis and chronic neuropathy.
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
1935-2735
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pntd.0011383
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pntd.0011383.g001
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pntd.0011383.g002
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pntd.0011383.g003
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pntd.0011383.t001
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pntd.0011383.t002
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pntd.0011383.t003
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pntd.0011383.s001
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pntd.0011383.s002
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pntd.0011383.s003
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pntd.0011383.r001
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pntd.0011383.r002
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pntd.0011383.r003
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pntd.0011383.r004
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pntd.0011383.r005
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pntd.0011383.r006
Language:
English
Publisher:
Public Library of Science (PLoS)
Publication Date:
2023
detail.hit.zdb_id:
2429704-5
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