Reactivations, paradoxical reactions, and immune reconstitution in human immunodeficiency virus-associated leprosy: A scoping review of global case patterns, immunopathogenesis, and therapeutic gaps

Anil, Abey and Vellaisamy, Seethalakshmi Ganga and Manickam, Navakumar and Gopalan, Kannan (2025) Reactivations, paradoxical reactions, and immune reconstitution in human immunodeficiency virus-associated leprosy: A scoping review of global case patterns, immunopathogenesis, and therapeutic gaps. INDIAN JOURNAL OF SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASES AND AIDS, 46.0 (2). pp. 112-118. ISSN 2589-0557

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Abstract

The intersection of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and Mycobacterium leprae infection creates unique diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. The roll-out of antiretroviral therapy (ART) has revealed leprosy-associated immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (L-IRIS), marked by paradoxical clinical worsening as immune function recovers. This review explores the clinical profiles, immunological mechanisms, and treatment outcomes of L-IRIS and leprosy reactivation in people living with HIV. Scoping review, preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses extension for Scoping review, systematic search: We searched PubMed, Scopus, Embase, Web of Science, LILACS(Latin America and the Caribbean Literature on Health Sciences), and Cochrane Library for original case reports, case series, and cohort studies documenting HIV-leprosy coinfection and IRIS. Data were extracted across six domains: epidemiology, clinical manifestations, histopathology, immunology, therapy, and evidence gaps. Geographic clustering, immunodeficiency, reversal reactions: Eighteen studies were included, predominantly from Brazil, India, and French Guiana. Borderline tuberculoid (BT) leprosy was the commonest clinical form; type 1 reactions (T1R) were the most frequent immune events, usually 2-6 months after ART initiation. Most patients had advanced immunosuppression (CD4+ <100/mu L), with clinical IRIS coinciding with immune recovery. Histopathology revealed granulomatous inflammation and CD68+ macrophage infiltration. Standard treatment included World Health Organization-recommended multidrug therapy (MDT) and corticosteroids, yielding generally favorable outcomes; however, there was a lack of consensus on IRIS management, long-term follow-up, and no validated biomarkers for L-IRIS, which remains under-recognized, with significant diversity in presentation and limited standardized diagnostic criteria. Improvement in care requires biomarker validation, consistent outcome tracking, and the creation of context-adapted management pathways. Expanded integrated surveillance and patient-centered research in endemic areas are essential to reduce the dual disease burden.

Item Type: Article
Uncontrolled Keywords: Antiretroviral therapy, clinical outcome, diagnosis, endemic, epidemiology, granulomatous inflammation, human immunodeficiency virus, leprosy, immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome, immunology, integrated care, multidrug therapy, reversal reaction
Subjects: Medicine > Infectious Diseases
Divisions: Medicine > Vinayaka Mission's Kirupananda Variyar Medical College and Hospital, Salem > Skin and STD
Depositing User: Unnamed user with email techsupport@mosys.org
Last Modified: 06 Feb 2026 06:49
URI: https://ir.vmrfdu.edu.in/id/eprint/5845

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