Serological study for presence of C-reactive protein, rheumatoid factor, anti streptolysin O in leprosy cases

Serological tests for the detection of C-reactive protein (CRP), Rheumatoid factor (RE) and Anti Streptolysin 'O' (ASLO) antibodies employing latex test were carried out in 120 cases of active lepromatous leprosy, 14 LL cases with ENL during active and subsided phases and 25 controls. Out of 120 LL cases 25.8% gave a positive reaction to CRP and ASLO. Only 4.2% of the cases with LL were positive for Rheumatoid factor. None of the controls showed positive reaction in these tests. During ENL, 100% of the sera showed positive test for CRP as against 35.7% during subsidence of reaction. Tests for RF were positive in 28.5% of the cases ENL as compared to none during subsided ENL. Raised ASLO titers were noticed in 38.2% cases with active ENL as against 21.4% during subsided phase of ENL.