Serology of leprosy. II. Demonstration of specific antibodies to mycobacterium leprae by counter current electrophoresis.

A rapid and simple method for the demonstration of specific antibodies to Mycobacterium leprae using counter current electrophoresis (CCE) has been described. Three types of antigens (sonicate antigen, surface antigen and purified protoplasmic protein antigen) were prepared from purified M. leprae and tested against sera from patients with different types of leprosy, and their healthy household contacts, by CCE. Antibodies specific to M. leprae were demonstrated by CCE after absorption of sera with M tuberculosis and M. vaccae. All advanced forms of leprosy (LL and BL) and a lesser number of other forms of leprosy (BB, BT and TT) showed specific antibodies reactive with the three types of soluble antigens from M. leprae and antibodies reactive with soluble antigens from M. tuberculosis and M. vaccae. The latter type of antibodies were however removed by prior absorption of sera with respective mycobacteria. The applicability of the simple electrophoresis method in the serology of leprosy is discussed.