ROLE OF ANTIPERIPHERAL NERVE ANTIBODIES IN NERVE DAMAGE IN LEPROSY

The objective of this study was to determine the role of antineural an tibodies in leprosy. Indirect ELISA using antigen prepared from normal human peripheral nerves was carried out on the sera from 100 leprosy patients and 18 normal controls. In total, 9% of the patients had demo nstrable levels of IgG antineural antibodies and 11% had demonstrable levels of IgM antibodies. There was no correlation with the type of le prosy, baeteriological index, treatment taken, the presence of a react ional state, the presence of enlarged nerves or active neuritis.