Background50% of leprosy patients suffer from episodes of Type 1/ reversal reactions (RR) and Type 2/ Erythema Nodosum Leprosum (ENL) reactions which lead to morbidity and nerve damage. CD4+ subsets of Th17 cells and CD25+FOXP3+ regulatory T cells (Tregs) have been shown to play a major role in disease associated immunopathology and in stable leprosy as reported by us and others. The aim of our study was to analyze their role in leprosy reactions.Methodology and Principle FindingsQuantitative reverse transcribed PCR (qPCR), flowcytometry and ELISA were used to respectively investigate gene expression, cell phenotypes and supernatant levels of cytokines in antigen stimulated PBMC cultures in patients with stable disease and those undergoing leprosy reactions. Both types of reactions are associated with significant increase of Th17 cells and associated cytokines IL-17A, IL-17F, IL-21, IL-23 and chemokines CCL20, CCL22 as compared to matching stable forms of leprosy. Concurrently patients in reactions show reduction in FOXP3+ Treg cells as well as reduction in TGF-β and increase in IL-6. Moreover, expression of many T cell markers, cytokines, chemokines and signaling factors were observed to be increased in RR as compared to ENL reaction patients.ConclusionsPatients with leprosy reactions show an imbalance in Th17 and Treg populations. The reduction in Treg suppressor activity is associated withhigherTh17cell activity. The combined effect of reduced TGF-β and enhanced IL-6, IL-21 cytokines influence the balance between Th17 or Treg cells in leprosy reactions as reported in the murine models and autoimmune diseases. The increase in Th17 cell associated cytokines may contribute to lesional inflammation.

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In laboratory study various developmental changes were exhibited by Helicoverpa armigera by the treatment of different insect growth regulators (IGRs) i.e. lufenuron, novaluron and UPI-106. Gram pod borer, H.armigera is a dreaded enemy of chick pea, pigeon pea, cotton, tomato and many other economically important crops. In the study, the efforts were concentrated in seeking effective toxicant for managing H. armigera population. IGRs are newer chemicals having less pollution effect on environment. Lufenuron, novaluron and UPI-106 are chitin synthesis inhibitor (CSI) belonging to acyl urea group. Lufenuron effectively suppressed H. armigera populations resulting in significant reduction in crop damage (Gogi, Mohammad D.; Sarfaraz, Rana M; Dosdall, Lloyd M; Arif Mohammad J; Keddie, Adrew B.; Ashfaz, Muhammad (2006)). The Insect Growth Regulators are much more effective than conventional insecticides. Several workers like Jadhav, S.V, Mohite, P.B., Kharbade, S.B. (2005). Patil S.K. Ingle M.B. Jamadagni B.M. concluded the same thing. Emmual O. Endomwande, At. S. Schoeman, Johann A. Brits and Mac Van der Merwe determined the effect of lufenuron against potato tuber moth, Phthorimaea operculella. IGR inhibits the production of chitin in larval forms and affects the life cycle of H.armigera. The different criteria studied were length of body, weight of body, width of body and width of head capsule. Among the different concentration of three IGRs used, the most effective IGR was the treatment of UPI-106 (0.08% conc.) while the least effective was Novaluron (0.025% conc.).