Anomalous isoenzymes of lactate dehydrogenase in sera of patients with leprosy.

In an earlier study (Saoji et al, 1980) we looked for anomalous (additional) isoenzymes in homogenates of 17 active and 25 of regressing lepromatous leprosy, three of erythema nodosum leprosum, eight of BT, 19 of TT and one of indeterminate leprosy. Anomalous bands were found in 17 cases. They correlated with large numbers of viable organisms and were thought to originate from Mycobacterium leprae. This communication describes the serum LDH isoenzymes of the same 78 cases. Six of 17 cases with anomalous LDH isoenzymes in tissues showed anomalous bands even in serum samples. The bands were much fainter but had similar mobility in terms of Ef values. Therefore, LDH isoenzymes originating from Mycobacterium leprae were discernible in sera of cases, though not on the same scale as in the tissues.