Anisotropias ópticas e morfometria das fibras colágenas da matriz extracelular em pele de indivíduos portadores de hanseníase

Abstract

Background: Hansen's disease is a chronic disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae, which progressively affects the skin and peripheral nerves. The host inflammatory response against the presence of bacilli responsible for alterations in the extracellular matrix. Objective: To study the molecular organization of the fibrous components of the extracellular matrix in skin of patients with leprosy. Methods: This was a descriptive study conducted from August 2011 to July 2012, which were analyzed 20 biopsies from the forearm skin lesions of patients with leprosy. Results: The skin appendages were often compromised by inflammatory infiltrate and showed a partial or total destruction. There wall thickening of blood vessels in all types of leprosy. The morphometric analysis showed a higher level of collagen in patients with multibacillary leprosy. Conclusions: For all types of leprosy there was a disorganization of collagen fibers.