Hubungan Antara Kadar Interleukin-6 Serum dengan Neuropati Perifer pada Kusta

Abstract

Background: Peripheral neuropathy is the most common neurological manifestation of leprosy. It occurs due to the body's immune system's reaction to Mycobacterium leprae infection in the affected nerves. Interleukin-6 is a proinflammatory cytokine that plays a role in the inflammatory process. In the nervous system, IL-6 plays a role in the development, differentiation, regeneration, and degeneration of nerve cells. Objective: To determine the relationship between serum levels of IL-6 and peripheral neuropathy in leprosy. Subjects and Methods: This was an observational analytical study involving 33 leprosy patients with peripheral neuropathy, and 33 leprosy patients was not. Semmes-Weinstein Monofilament test was used to determine the study subjects. Serum IL-6 levels were assessed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results: The characteristics of leprosy patients with peripheral neuropathy were most common in male, age group 18–25 years old and had a bacterial index of 2+. The mean serum IL-6 levels in leprosy patients with peripheral neuropathy was 85.93±22.06. The mean serum IL-6 levels in leprosy patients without peripheral neuropathy was 81.76±19.65. There were no significant differences in the two groups. Conclusion: No relationship between serum IL-6 levels and peripheral neuropathy in leprosy.