Scheinberg M A, Masuda A, Benson M D, Mendes N F
Int J Lepr Other Mycobact Dis. 1979 Jun;47(2):133-7.
Serum amyloid protein (SAA) appears to be the precursor of amyloid protein AA, the non-immunoglobulin fibril protein of secondary amyloidosis. Since amyloidosis is known to occur in high frequency associated with lepromatous leprosy (LL), we have examined the SAA levels in untreated LL patients and compared them to the levels observed in patients with tuberculoid leprosy (TT) and a large number observed in healthy controls. We found that SAA is markedly elevated in LL when compared to TT and controls. No clear correlation could be established with C-reactive protein, a well-documented acute phase reactant, or serum lysozyme levels that reflect the presence of monocyte activity. This study showed that SAA levels in leprosy do not appear to be a reflection of inflammatory activity or monocyte turnover. Whether amyloidosis will be more prevalent in patients who have higher SAA levels remains to be determined.
血清淀粉样蛋白（SAA）似乎是淀粉样蛋白AA的前体，淀粉样蛋白AA是继发性淀粉样变性的非免疫球蛋白纤维蛋白。由于已知淀粉样变性与瘤型麻风（LL）高频率相关，我们检测了未经治疗的LL患者的SAA水平，并将其与结核样型麻风（TT）患者以及大量健康对照者的水平进行比较。我们发现，与TT和对照相比，LL患者的SAA显著升高。SAA与C反应蛋白（一种有充分记录的急性期反应物）或反映单核细胞活性的血清溶菌酶水平之间未发现明确的相关性。这项研究表明，麻风患者的SAA水平似乎并非炎症活动或单核细胞更新的反映。SAA水平较高的患者中淀粉样变性是否更普遍仍有待确定。
