Antigens of Mycobacterium Leprae and anti-M. leprae antibodies in the urine of leprosy patients

Forty-six newly diagnosed untreated leprosy patients and II control persons were examined for acid-fast bacilli, My cobacterium /ep rae antigen(s) and anti-M. /eprae antibody-like activity in concentrated urine samples. No acid-fast bacilli were fo und. Two of 23 paucibacillary and II of 23 multi bacillary patients had detectable antigen(s) in the urine. The antigen(s) was/were absorbed by anti-BCG in 7 out of 8 examined samples. A significant correlation between maximal bacteriological index and antigen concentration was fo und. Extensive differences in the anti-M. /eprae antibody-like activity were seen within the group of control persons and the different groups of patients throughout the spectrum of leprosy. The results of examinations of the antibody-like activity after absorp tions with Cowan I staphylococci, Sepharose-anti-human IgG, heat treatment and assays for total IgG, IgA and IgM gave good evidence that most of the activity was due to anti-M. /eprae antibodies of the IgG class.