A study of estimation of serum alpha-1-antitrypsin in various forms of leprosy.

Study of serum alpha-1 antitrypsin by agar gel electrophoresis was carried out in 25 patients of various forms of leprosy including 9 cases of Erythema nodosum leprosum, and was compared with findings in 25 healthy controls. The level of serum alpha-1 antitrypsin in healthy subjects ranged from 211 mg% to 602 mg% with a mean level of 290.92 mg% +/- 86.82 mg, have p value 0.1, while in leprosy patients of various types ranged from 129 mg% to 702 mg% with mean level of 405.84 mg% +/- 152.70. Nine patients of lepromatous leprosy with ENL had marked elevation of serum alpha-1 antitrypsin and level was 376 to 720 mg% with a mean level of 562.65% +/- 106.62, statistically significant.