Complement profile in leprosy

We investigated complement in leprosy to detect its possible role in pathogenesis. Complement components, C3 proactivator (C3PA), CH 50 and anticomplementary activity (AC) were determined in sera collected from lepromatous and tuberculoid leprosy. C3 was found increased in lepromatous leprosy and highly increased C3PA was found in both groups. Changes in other components lacked specific pattern. Increases in C3PA levels are believed to be due to aggregation of the increased serum immunoglobulins. C3 levels and CH 50 levels in the present study agree with those in other reports. Development of AC occurred in lepromatous sera even during 2 days of storage at –80° C. AC found among freshly collected sera was probably due to aggregated immunoglobulins. The present study serves as a groundwork for future investigations.