Mycetoma is a persistent, progressive granulomatous inflammatory disease causing either by fungi or by bacteria. Characteristic of this disease is that the causative agents organise themselves in macroscopic structures called grains.
Mycetoma is a common neglected disease caused by either fungi or bacteria which organize; themselves into grains areas of inflammation surrounded by a collagen capsule. Mycetoma is caused by any of 56 different microorganisms and is endemic to many tropical and subtropical areas.
It usually affects young adults and children and is most common in farmers and other workers who deal directly with soil. Mycetoma appears as a slow growing tumor like mass that gradually increases in size.
Granulomatous inflammatory
But in the previous research has revealed that there are three zones of inflammatory cells surrounding mycetoma grains. However, the immunopathological mechanisms involving in the chronic inflammation of mycetoma have not been well understood. They measuring expression levels of two immune proteins interleukin-17 and matrix metalloprotein-9; in cells from each zone in the mycetoma grains.
While IL-17 was mostly finding in Zones I and II of the grains; MMP-9 was present primarily in the more outer Zones II and III. Levels of the two immune molecules corresponded with each other, and were associating with the disease duration and lesion size.
Granuloma formation
Moreover, levels of MMP-9 also varied by the causative agent of mycetoma. In experiments in mice, animals deficient in IL-17; granuloma formation was impairing, suggesting an importance of the molecule in early infection.
However, the observations presented here are the first step; and indicate that IL-17A and MMP-9 are present within the grain, the researchers say. The functions of IL-17A and MMP-9 in the formation of the grain will be studying in future studies. These grains are surrounding by a massive inflammatory reaction.