[Immunologic aspects of leprosy]

Lepromatous leprosy is accompanied by a complex deficit in cell mediated immunity concerning Mycobacterium leprae. The physiological mechanism of this deficit remains unknown. According to some studies there may be, in those suffering from leprosy, a trouble in the macrophage and presentation of antigens. Other studies suggest an increase in the suppressive activity of lymphocytes. Recently some authors emphasized the deficit in the production of interleukin 2. It is difficult, for the time being, to find out whether such immunological abnormalities are primitive or secondary to the accumulation of the bacillus into the organism.