Insights from animal models on the immunogenetics of leprosy: a review
Mem. Inst. Oswaldo Cruz
;
107(supl.1): 197-208, Dec. 2012. ilus, tab
Article
in English
| LILACS
| ID: lil-659759
ABSTRACT
A variety of host immunogenetic factors appear to influence both an individual's susceptibility to infection with Mycobacterium leprae and the pathologic course of the disease. Animal models can contribute to a better understanding of the role of immunogenetics in leprosy through comparative studies helping to confirm the significance of various identified traits and in deciphering the underlying mechanisms that may be involved in expression of different disease related phenotypes. Genetically engineered mice, with specific immune or biochemical pathway defects, are particularly useful for investigating granuloma formation and resistance to infection and are shedding new light on borderline areas of the leprosy spectrum which are clinically unstable and have a tendency toward immunological complications. Though armadillos are less developed in this regard, these animals are the only other natural hosts of M. leprae and they present a unique opportunity for comparative study of genetic markers and mechanisms associable with disease susceptibility or resistance, especially the neurological aspects of leprosy. In this paper, we review the recent contributions of genetically engineered mice and armadillos toward our understanding of the immunogenetics of leprosy.
Full text:
Available
Index:
LILACS (Americas)
Main subject:
Armadillos
/
Animals, Genetically Modified
/
Disease Models, Animal
/
Immunogenetic Phenomena
/
Leprosy
/
Mice
/
Mycobacterium leprae
Type of study:
Prognostic study
Limits:
Animals
Language:
English
Journal:
Mem. Inst. Oswaldo Cruz
Journal subject:
Tropical Medicine
/
Parasitology
Year:
2012
Type:
Article
/
Project document
Affiliation country:
United States
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