Revista da Sociedade Brasileira de Medicina Tropical ()

Anti-phospholipid syndrome in seven leprosy patients with thrombotic events on corticosteroid and/or thalidomide regimen: insights on genetic and laboratory profiles

  • Sebastian Vernal,
  • Maria Jose Franco Brochado,
  • Roberto Bueno-Filho,
  • Paulo Louzada-Junior,
  • Ana Maria Roselino

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1590/0037-8682-0216-2017
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 51, no. 1
pp. 99 – 104

Abstract

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Abstract INTRODUCTION Corticosteroids and/or thalidomides have been associated with thromboembolism events (TBE) in multibacillary (MB) leprosy. This report aimed to determine genetic and laboratory profiles associated with leprosy and TBE. METHODS Antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL), coagulation-related exams, prothrombin and Leiden’s factor V mutations, and ß2-glycoprotein-I (ß2GPI) Val247Leu polymorphism were assessed. RESULTS Six out of seven patients with leprosy were treated with prednisone and/or thalidomide during TBE and presented at least one positive aPL. All patients presented ß2GPI polymorphism, and one showed prothrombin mutation. CONCLUSIONS Corticosteroid or thalidomide adverse effects and aPL and ß2GPI polymorphisms may cause TBE in patients with MB leprosy.

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