Serum proteins and immunoglobulins in leprosy.

Serum proteins and immunoglobulins were studied in patients suffering from various types of leprosy. A significant increase in total protein and decrease in albumin was found in all types of leprosy except borderline-tuberculoid. Gamma globulin was found to be increased in all types. An increase of alpha-2-globulin in lepromatous, a decrease of beta globulin in borderline-lepromatous, and a decrease of alpha-2 and increase of beta globulin in borderline-tuberculoid were observed. These changes do not seem to be of diagnostic importance. A statistically significant increase of IgG in borderline-lepromatous and lepromatous, IgM in all types of leprosy and IgA only in lepromatous was found. The increase of different immunoglobulins in leprosy, especially the lepromatous type, suggests a humoral response which was found to be directly proportional to the severity of the lesion.