Decreased Cutaneous Resonance Running Time in Cured Leprosy Subjects

Abstract

Background/Objectives: Leprosy prominently involves both the skin and peripheral neural tissues and some symptoms persist after microbial cure. Because alterations in the dermis also occur in leprosy, we assessed here whether there were changes in cutaneous resonance running time (CRRT), a parameter that is influenced by collagen properties, in cured leprosy subjects. Methods: A reviscometer was used to measure the CRRT at various directions on the dorsal hand and the flexural forearms of 76 cured leprosy subjects aged 50–85 years and 68 age-matched normal subjects. Results: In comparison to normal subjects, CRRTs on the hands and the forearms were significantly reduced in all directions in cured leprosy, except at the 1–7, 2–8 and 3–9 o’clock directions on the forearms. CRRTs were reduced significantly at both the 4–10 and 5–11 o’clock directions on the forearm in lepromatous (73.33 ± 4.19 at 4–10 o’clock and 67.44 ± 2.71 at 5–11 o’clock direction) and borderline lepromatous types (77.58 ± 5.84 at 4–10 o’clock and 79.85 ± 6.81 at 5–11 o’clock direction) as compared with normal (143.10 ± 7.75 at 4–10 o’clock and 125.18 ± 8.14 at 5–11 o’clock direction). On the hand, CRRTs at all directions, except that at 4–10 o’clock direction, were also significantly reduced in lepromatous and borderline lepromatous types in comparison with normal. Significant differences in CRRT at some directions were found among the various subtypes of leprosy. Conclusion: CRRTs were abnormal in the cured leprosy subjects as a whole, but varied with leprosy subtypes, which suggested that the extent of reduction of CRRTs correlates with the severity of immune alteration. These results suggest that CRRT measurements could be a useful approach to quantify the extent of some residual abnormalities in cured leprosy and perhaps could also be used to evaluate the efficacy of treatment.

Cutaneous resonance running time is decreased in psoriatic lesions

“…Previous studies have shown that changes of CRRTs occur in various cutaneous and systemic disorders (14,22,25). Besides decreased SC hydration, reduced CRRTs in psoriatic lesions are also demonstrated in present study.…”

“…And the acoustical shockwave running distance is 2 mm with energy of 1.77 μJ. Measurements were begun in the 12 o'clock position, which was determined with the right forearms laid on the table as described previously . Measurements were then taken clockwise at every 1 h interval or at every 30°C.…”

“…Furthermore, decreased SC hydration and delayed barrier recovery exist in vitiligo‐involved sites . In addition, lower SC hydration and higher skin surface pH are evident in cured leprosy subjects besides the reduction of cutaneous resonance running times (CRRTs) . Changes in SC hydration of leprosy are associated with its subtypes.…”

Cutaneous resonance running time varies with age, body site and gender in a normal Chinese population

“…A Courage–Khazaka Reviscometer RVM600 (Courage‐Khazaka Electronic, Koln, Germany) was used to measure the CRRTs on the central dorsum of the left hand, the forehead and the canthus. Measurements were initiated at the 12 o'clock position, which was determined with the hands laid on the table as described previously (30). Measurements were then taken clockwise at every 1‐h interval or at every 30°.…”

A Clinico-Pathological Correlation Study of Leprosy in a Tertiary Care Teaching Institute in Northwest Punjab, India

“…Its causative agent is Mycobacterium Leprae which parasitizes macrophages and Schawann cells. [1,2] The disease presents itself in different clinico-pathological forms depending upon the cellular immune system of the host. [3] Leprosy continues to be an important public health problem in most parts of Asia including India [4].…”