Correlation between serum choline esterase and serum albumin in leprosy.

The clinical material included 255 cases of leprosy consisting of Tuberculoid leprosy (74), Lepromatous leprosy (116), Lepromatous leprosy with lepra reaction. Liver biopsy could be performed on 50 cases of Lepromatous leprosy. Specific granulomatous changes and parenchymal cell damage were the significant findings. Serum choline esterase and serum albumin are synthesized in liver. Serum Choline esterase levels in the present study decreased abruptly with exacerbation of the disease but the serum albumin levels declined gradually and slowly. Possible hypothesis to explain the correlation and uneven fall in activity is discussed at the cellular level.