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Leprosy.

R C Hastings¹, T P Gillis, J L Krahenbuhl

¹Gillis W. Long Hansen's Disease Center, U.S. Public Health Service, Carville, Louisiana 70721.

Clinical Microbiology Reviews

|July 1, 1988

Summary

Leprosy, or Hansen's disease, involves complex immune responses to Mycobacterium leprae. Research advances in M. leprae antigens and recombinant DNA technology are paving the way for new diagnostics and a potential leprosy vaccine.

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Area of Science:

Immunology
Microbiology
Infectious Diseases

Background:

Leprosy (Hansen's disease) affects millions globally, characterized by bacterial progression, host immune responses, nerve damage, and secondary deformities.
The disease serves as a model for studying graded cell-mediated immunity against Mycobacterium leprae.
Current treatments aim to manage bacterial load, immune reactions, nerve damage, and deformities.

Purpose of the Study:

To explore the biochemical characteristics of Mycobacterium leprae, focusing on cell wall components and proteins.
To advance the understanding of immunologic reactions in Hansen's disease through recombinant DNA technology and cell cloning.
To investigate the M. leprae-specific immunodeficiency in lepromatous leprosy and explore M. leprae metabolism.

Main Methods:

Utilizing deoxyribonucleic acid cloning of M. leprae genes to study protein structure-function and antigenic relationships.
Employing recombinant DNA procedures coupled with T- and B-cell cloning to analyze immune responses.
Investigating M. leprae metabolism and exploring biophysical parameters for in vitro cultivation.

Main Results:

Identification of specific M. leprae antigens and production of recombinant/synthetic reagents are enabling new research.
Progress in understanding M. leprae-specific immunodeficiency, including the role of suppressor T cells and macrophage function.
Metabolic studies suggest M. leprae has intact catabolic pathways and potential growth factors.

Conclusions:

Advances in understanding M. leprae antigens and immunology are crucial for developing new immunodiagnostic tools and a leprosy vaccine.
Further research into M. leprae metabolism and cultivation may lead to improved diagnostics and drug susceptibility testing.
Integrated approaches combining biochemical, immunological, and genetic studies are essential for combating Hansen's disease.

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