title: Low serum levels of cathelicidin LL-37 in leprosy.
abstract: The antimicrobial peptide cathelicidin LL-37 possesses antituberculous activity, its association with other mycobacterial diseases, such as leprosy, is unknown. We studied serum cathelicidin and 25OH-vitamin D3 levels in 29 leprosy patients and 19 healthy individuals from Yemen. Cathelicidin levels were significantly lower in both treated (n=15) and untreated leprosy patients (n=14) when compared to controls (P<0.001). Within leprosy patients, levels were lower in those who very recently developed disease (untreated group) when compared to already treated patients (P<0.05). 25OH-vitamin D3 levels were not different between groups. The results suggest a potential association of cathelicidin LL-37 with Mycobacterium leprae infection.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringerguertel 18-20, A-1090 Vienna, Austria.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Matzner
authors.forename: Abdul Rahim
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Al Samie
authors.forename: Heide-Maria
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Winkler
authors.forename: Johannes
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Nemeth
authors.forename: Andreas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Grasnek
authors.forename: Alexander
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Indra
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bieglmayer
authors.forename: Stefan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Winkler
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D023181:Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides / Q000097:blood*; D002112:Calcifediol / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007918:Leprosy / Q000276:immunology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D044967:Serum / Q000737:chemistry; D015006:Yemen; D055815:Young Adult; D054804:Cathelicidins
chemical_list: D023181:Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides; D002112:Calcifediol; D054804:Cathelicidins