Evaluation of the autoimmune response in leprosy

Immunological responses to a panel of antigens were evaluated in 27 patients with lepromatous and 20 patients with tuberculoid leprosy and compared with 24 pulmonary tuberculosis patients, 25 systemic lupus erythematosus patients and 41 healthy blood donors. Some autoantibody specificities were extensively studied for the first time in mycobacterial infections. Striking immunoserological abnormalities were found in patients with lepromatous leprosy, particularly in those presenting with relapse. Inhibition assays were performed, providing a tool for further analysis of the binding range of specific anti-N.D.O. BSA antibodies and strengthening the suggestion of molecular mimicry reactions between cytoskeletal proteins, host stress proteins and Mycobacterium leprae antigens or stress proteins. A significant serological overlap between lepromatous leprosy and autoimmune diseases is indicated.