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Anticardiolipin antibodies in leprosy
Indian Journal of Leprosy
|July 1, 1994
Summary
This study investigated anticardiolipin (aCL) antibodies in leprosy patients. A significant percentage of multibacillary leprosy patients showed elevated IgG and IgM aCL antibodies, unlike paucibacillary cases.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Infectious Diseases
- Rheumatology
Background:
- Leprosy, a chronic infectious disease, can present with diverse clinical manifestations.
- Anticardiolipin (aCL) antibodies are associated with various autoimmune and infectious conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence and patterns of IgG and IgM anticardiolipin antibodies in leprosy patients.
- To explore potential correlations between aCL antibody levels and clinical parameters in leprosy.
Main Methods:
- Clinical assessment of 84 leprosy patients classified as multibacillary (MB) or paucibacillary (PB) based on WHO criteria.
- Quantification of serum IgG and IgM anticardiolipin antibodies at baseline.
Main Results:
- Elevated IgG and IgM anticardiolipin antibodies were observed in 60.9% of MB and 39.5% of PB cases.
- Specific elevations in IgG or IgM aCL antibodies were noted in 19.5% (IgG only) and 4.8% (IgM only) of MB cases, and 4.6% (IgG only) and 13.9% (IgM only) of PB cases.
- No correlation was found between increased aCL antibody levels and cardiovascular involvement, bacteriological index, reactive state, or treatment adherence.
Conclusions:
- Anticardiolipin antibodies, particularly IgG and IgM, are frequently elevated in leprosy patients, especially in the multibacillary form.
- The rise in anticardiolipin antibodies in leprosy does not appear to be associated with specific clinical or treatment-related factors.