SERUM LACTOFERRIN IN LEPROMATOUS LEPROSY PATIENTS

The serum concentrations of lactoferrin were determined by competitive enzyme immunoassay in the sera of 38 lepromatous leprosy patients and 16 healthy volunteers. Of the 38 lepromatous patients, 25 were withou t any sign of reactions while 13 were suffering from ENL type of react ions. The lactoferrin levels, in both types of patients, were observed to be significantly higher (P < 0.01 and < 0.001, respectively) than in that of healthy volunteers. The rise in lactoferrin level in reacti ve patients was also higher (P < 0.05) when compared to those without reactions. The serum lactoferrin levels were also found to be associat ed with bacterial load (r = 0.414; P < 0.01) indicating that in leprom atous leprosy patients, lactoferrin may not be very effective in preve nting the growth of Mycobacterium leprae. Further studies to improve t he understanding of the role of elevated levels of lactoferrin in path ogenesis of lepromatous leprosy patients and in establishing its possi ble use in predicting the occurrence of ENL type of reactions would be worthwhile pursuing.