Reduced vitamin D-induced cathelicidin production and killing of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in macrophages from a patient with a non-functional vitamin D receptor: A case report

The association between climate variables and tuberculosis in Kolaka District, Southeast Sulawesi Province, Indonesia, 2013-2020: a Bayesian autoregressive model

Background

Tuberculosis is one of the diseases that requires comprehensive treatment. This disease is highly contagious and can be transmitted through the air. Climate factors play a role in the increasing cases of tuberculosis. This study aimed to determine the correlation between climatic variables and TB in Kolaka District, Southeast Sulawesi Province, Indonesia.

Methods

This research was modeled using an autoregressive (AR) Bayesian model with three possible likelihoods; Gaussian, Poisson and Negative Binomial responses.

Results

Minimum temperature and average temperature, a coefficient of 4.234 suggests that for every 1 degree increase in minimum temperature, there is an estimated increase of approximately four cases, assuming other variables remain constant. Maximum temperature, a coefficient of 17.851 suggests that for every 1 degree increase in maximum temperature, there is an estimated increase of around 17-18 cases, assuming other variables remain constant. Humidity, a coefficient of -13.413 suggests that for every 1% increase in humidity, there is an estimated decrease of around 13 cases, assuming other variables remain constant. Rainfall, a coefficient of -0.327 suggests that for every 1 mm increase in rainfall, there is an estimated decrease of around 0.327 cases, assuming other variables remain constant. Light, a coefficient of -4.322 suggests that for every 1-hour increase in light duration, there is an estimated decrease of around four cases, assuming other variables remain constant.

Conclusions

Climate change has a significant impact on tuberculosis through temperature-related factors. These factors influence the prevalence, spread, and vulnerability to TB. Addressing these challenges requires a holistic approach involving adaptation planning. Strong public health systems and healthcare infrastructure can help mitigate the risks and impacts of climate change-related tuberculosis.

Vitamin D in Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphoma

Cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL) is characterized by the proliferation of malignant T cells in inflamed skin lesions. Mycosis fungoides (MF)-the most common variant of CTCL-often presents with skin lesions around the abdomen and buttocks ("bathing suit" distribution), i.e., in skin areas devoid of sun-induced vitamin D. For decades, sunlight and vitamin D have been connected to CTCL. Thus, vitamin D induces apoptosis and inhibits the expression of cytokines in malignant T cells. Furthermore, CTCL patients often display vitamin D deficiency, whereas phototherapy induces vitamin D and has beneficial effects in CTCL, suggesting that light and vitamin D have beneficial/protective effects in CTCL. Inversely, vitamin D promotes T helper 2 (Th2) cell specific cytokine production, regulatory T cells, tolerogenic dendritic cells, as well as the expression of immune checkpoint molecules, all of which may have disease-promoting effects by stimulating malignant T-cell proliferation and inhibiting anticancer immunity. Studies on vitamin D treatment in CTCL patients showed conflicting results. Some studies found positive effects, others negative effects, while the largest study showed no apparent clinical effect. Taken together, vitamin D may have both pro- and anticancer effects in CTCL. The balance between the opposing effects of vitamin D in CTCL is likely influenced by treatment and may change during the disease course. Therefore, it remains to be discovered whether and how the effect of vitamin D can be tilted toward an anticancer response in CTCL.

A Comparison of Cathelicidin Levels in the Skin of Leprosy Patients and Their Household Contacts

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to compare cathelicidin levels in the skin of leprae patients and leprae contacts.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This research is an analytic observational study with a cross-sectional approach. Fifty-four research subjects participated in this study. They consisted of leprae patients, household contacts, and healthy individuals. Cathelicidin levels were measured using the ELISA method. Data analysis was carried out with the help of SPSS software, and univariate and bivariate analysis was conducted.

RESULTS

Cathelicidin levels in the leprae group (256.8±22.9 pg/ml) were higher than in the contact group (25.9±2.7 pg/ml). Likewise, the contact group had higher cathelicidin levels than healthy controls (1.4±0.1 pg/ml). Statistically, there were differences in cathelicidin levels between groups, P<0.050.

CONCLUSION

Cathelicidin levels in leprae patients were higher than those in household contacts.