Serum lysozyme in leprosy.

Serum lysozyme was assessed in 43 healthy subjects and 183 leprosy patients. Significantly elevated level of lysozyme was observed in sera of leprosy patients as compared to normal individuals. The enzyme levels in leprosy of different types showed elevations in following order, Erythema Nodosum Leprosum (ENL) greater than Lepromatous greater than Borderline greater than Tuberculoid. Enzyme levels in patients with inactive stage were lower than in untreated patients. The serum lysozyme level correlated well with the activity disease in leprosy--clinically and bacteriologically. Thus the estimation of serum lysozyme can be used as one of the parameters of activity of the disease.