The Correlation of Semmes–Weinstein Monofilament Test with the Level of P-75 Neurotrophin as Marker of Nerve Damage in Leprosy

• Main Authors: Widasmara D, Panjarwanto DA, Sananta P
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dove Medical Press 2020-06-01
• Series: Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology
• Subjects: leprosy; semmes-weinstein monofilament-test; p-75 neurotrophin.
• Online Access: https://www.dovepress.com/the-correlation-of-semmesndashweinstein-monofilament-test-with-the-lev-peer-reviewed-article-CCID
• ISSN: 1178-7015

Dhelya Widasmara,1 Dwi Andhika Panjarwanto,2 Panji Sananta3 1Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Brawijaya, Saiful Anwar Regional General Hospital, Malang, Indonesia; 2Medical Study Program, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Brawijaya, Malang, Indonesia; 3Orthopaedic and Traumatology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Brawijaya, Saiful Anwar Regional General Hospital, Malang, IndonesiaCorrespondence: Dhelya Widasmara Email [e-mail]: Leprosy is a chronic infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae that causes damage to the peripheral nerve, particularly Schwann cells. Treatment is useful only to kill bacteria but not to recover peripheral nerve damage. However, early detection of peripheral nerve damage is necessary. We examine P-75 neurotrophin (P75NTR) as an indicator of peripheral nerve damage in leprosy with the Semmes–Weinstein monofilament (SWM) test as the comparison.Methods: This study uses a quantitative analytic observational study approach with cross-sectional design, conducted at Kediri Leprosy Hospital, Malang, East Java, Indonesia. All leprosy patients had a clinical examination and bacterial index to classify leprosy and then the SWM test to examine the presence of neuropathy in the palms and feet. P75NTR examination uses venous blood samples. An independent t-test was used to compare the SWM and P75NTR scores based on the type of leprosy, and then the Spearman correlation test was used to determine the correlation between SWM scores and P75NTR levels.Results: In this study, SWM scores on the soles of the foot and palms and the P75NTR levels were higher in the PB group compared with MB (p< 0.05). Also, a significant positive correlation was found between P75NTR and the SWM scores on the palms of the hand (r=0.864; p=0.000) and the soles of the foot (r=0.864; p=0.000).Conclusion: There is a strong positive correlation between P75NTR levels and SWM scores, so P75NTR levels are very likely to be a marker of neuropathy in leprosy, but further studies are still needed to examine the specific role of these biomarkers.Keywords: leprosy, Semmes–Weinstein monofilament test, P-75 neurotrophin