US EPA

5369703 

Journal Article 

QUANTITATIVE DINITROCHLOROBENZENE (DNCB) RESPONSIVITY AND PHYTOHEMAGGLUTININ (PHA) INDUCED LYMPHOCYTE-TRANSFORMATION IN PATIENTS WITH LEPROMATOUS LEPROSY 

Rea, TH; Quismorio, F; Harding, B; Friou, G; Levan, N 

1976 

Yes 

International Journal of Leprosy and Other Mycobacterial Diseases
ISSN: 0148-916X
EISSN: 1544-581X 

INT JOURNAL LEPROSY 

GREENVILLE 

44 

1-2 

250-255 

English 

945239 

WOS:A1976BS28100043 

Because the authors are unable to find a gross generalized impairment of cell mediated immunity (CMI) in patients with lepromatous leprosy, and because such impairment is evidently readily demonstrated by others, they have sought evidence of a subtle deficit in CMI by quantitating in vivo DNCB and in vitro PHA responses. The subjects of this study were 31 Mexican born patients, who, by the criteria of Ridley and Waters are clinically classified as LL because of an abundance of bacilli in lesions and the absence of borderline lesions, reversal reactions and nerve trunk neuropathies. Responses to DNCB were similar in leprosy patients and in normal controls. PHA induced lymphocyte transformation with fetal bovine serum was also similar in controls and leprosy patients and in subgroups of leprosy patients. This study provided no evidence that a subtle, generalized deficit of CMI is present in this group of patients. A subtle generalized defect of CMI cannot be excluded absolutely and the authors are continuing this investigation utilizing smaller quantities of DNCB and lower dilutions of PHA. Since generalized deficiencies of CMI are not necessary accompaniments of leprosy, their existence must be attributable to a variable other than lepromatous leprosy itself. The authors do not know the responsible variable or variables but possibilities to which the present study is directed include disease extent, presence or absence of sulfone therapy, and LIB (antigen load).