A study of serum fibrinolytic activity in leprosy.

Fibrinolytic activity was studied in 50 patients of leprosy and 30 healthy individuals who served as control. Fibrinolytic activity was determined by measuring euglobulin lysis. No significant alteration in fibrinolytic activity was observed in patients with non-lepromatous leprosy, the levels being approximately similar to control group. However, fibrinolytic activity was found to be significantly decreased in patients of lepromatous leprosy and lepra reaction group. The observed decrease in fibrinolytic activity can be explained on the basis of presence of tissue destruction and vasculitis seen in leprosy more so in patients with lepromatous leprosy and lepra reaction.