Earlier we reported the presence of significant levels of antigalactoc
erebroside (GalC) antibodies in the sera of leprosy patients. This stu
dy corroborates the above result and also gives evidence for the prese
nce of antibodies to the nonpolar ceramide (Cer) moiety of GalC. AntiC
er antibody titres were higher as compared to antiGalC antibodies in a
ll categories of leprosy. The specificity of antibodies directed to th
e Cer moiety was confirmed using Lactosyl-BSA and neutralization assay
s. Statistically significant and positive correlations were observed b
etween antiGalC and antiCer antibodies. Responsiveness factors were co
mputed using natural logarithmic transformation of the variables.