A preliminary report on a study of serum alpha-1-antitrypsin and immunoglobulin levels in lepromatous leprosy.

IgG, IgA, and IgM immunoglobulins and alpha-1-antitrypsin globulin in sera from 30 patients with lepromatous leprosy were determined and compared with 30 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. Mean levels of IgG, IgM, IgA, and alpha-1-antitrypsin were significantly elevated in the sera of lepromatous leprosy patients in comparison with levels found in normal subjects. Statistical analysis of the relationships between levels of alpha-1-antitrypsin and immunoglobulins in the sera of lepromatous leprosy patients and controls revealed no correlation. It is therefore concluded that factors responsible for concentrations of immunoglobulins and alpha-1-antitrypsin are independent of each other in patients with lepromatous leprosy.