Immune Profile (Th1, Th2, Th17, T-reg) of Maternal-Paediatrics Population in Leprosy Endemic Areas in East Java, Indonesia: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Leprosy is one of the neglected tropical infectious diseases in developing countries caused by Mycobacterium leprae. Various morbidity and stigma associated with leprosy infection which affects women more than men have led to its late diagnosis and treatment. Gender status, the role of a person in the household, and parenting are some of the factors that greatly influence the transmission of Mycobacterium leprae to children. This increase in the number of cases will also affect the number of new cases of leprosy in children.Aim: To analyse the immune profile in the maternal-children population in leprosy endemic areas in East Java, Indonesia.Method: We investigated the activities of four subsets of T cells, Th1, Th2, Th17, and Treg by measuring the circulated cytokines (IFN-γ for Th1, IL-4 for Th2, IL-17 for Th17) or marker levels (FOXP3+ for Treg) by using ELISA.Results: The comparison analysis of this study showed a significant difference in FOXP3+ level of maternal leprosy compared with a healthy maternal population and IL-17 level of children leprosy compared with a healthy children population. A negative correlation was found between maternal FOXP3+ levels and children IL-17 levels.Conclusion: The immune profile of the maternal-paediatrics population could be beneficial in planning an intervention to eradicate leprosy.