Levels of TGF- Serum Positively Correlated with Levels of IgM Anti PGL-1 In Household Contacts of Multibacillary Leprosy Patients

Abstract

Background
Leprosy is a chronic progressive infectious disease. Phenolic glycolipid-1 (PGL-1) is an antigen of
Mycobacterium leprae, which can trigger the host’s antibody response. Transforming growth factor
β (TGF-β) plays an immunosuppressive role when the host is exposed to PGL-1 antigen or other M.
leprae antigens. This study aims to determine the correlation of TGF-β levels with IgM anti-PGL-1
levels in patients with multibacillary leprosy household contacts.
Methods
Observational analytical study with a cross-sectional approach. The study subjects consisted of 48
household contact subjects and 24 non-household contact subjects aged 15-65 years old who were
selected by consecutive sampling based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. 3 mL of venous blood
samples were taken and then examined for IgM anti-PGL-1 and TGF-β with the ELISA kit. Data
analysis was carried out using SPSS version 23, and a p-value <0.05 was significant.
Results
The mean level of IgM anti-PGL-1 in the household contact group was 685.46 ± 290.79 u/mL, while in
the non-household contact group was 345.50 ± 206.58 u/mL. The mean TGF-β level in household
contact groups was 256.69 ± 127.41 pg/mL, while in the non-household contact group was 144.85 ±
36.73 pg/mL (p<0.001). This study found a moderate positive relationship (r=0.450, p<0.001)
between levels of TGF-β and IgM anti-PGL-1 household contacts and non-household contacts group.
Conclusions
The mean level of IgM anti-PGL-1 and TGF-β in household contacts is higher than in non-household
contacts, with a significant difference. There is a moderate positive significant relationship between
levels of TGF-β and IgM anti-PGL-1 household contacts and non-household contacts group.