An applied research on a new recombinant M. leprae antigen: A preliminary study on ...

Title:
An applied research on a new recombinant M. leprae antigen: A preliminary study on the role of a2－ELISA in monitoring leprosy relapse

Author:
Yin Y, Wu Q, He W

Address:
National Center for STD and Leprosy Control, Institute of Dermatology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, 12 Jiangwangmiao Road, Nanjing 210042, P. R. China

Source:
China journal of leprosy and skin diseases, 1999（15）3:70-72

Abstract:
Objective: To approach the application of a2 antigen in monitoring the relapses in the patients declared as clinical cure. Methods: The levels of antibodies to a2 antigen was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (a2-ELISA) in sera from 312 patients who have been clinically cured by DDS monotherapy. Results: The present study shows that: 1) the level of anti-a2 antibody was slightly higher in multibacillary leprosy patients than paucibacillary ones although the difference was not found to be statistically significant; 2) the positivity of anti-a2 antibody was negatively corrected with the treatment course of DDS monotherapy in multibacillary patients. Conclusion: The levels of a2-ELISA are associated with clinical aspects of leprosy cases, but its significance in monitoring leprosy relapses needs to be further evaluated in our future series of studies.

Key words: leprosy relapses recombinant a2 antigen ELISA

Language: Chinese