Aggregation and deformability of erythrocytes in leprosy.

The hemorheological parameters, erythrocyte aggregation and deformability are determined in leprotic patients and are compared with that of healthy subjects. The aggregation is determined by sequential analysis of the He-Ne laser transmission data through erythrocyte suspension at hematocrit 5%. The erythrocyte deformability is determined by measurement of passage time (reciprocal of deformability) of erythrocyte suspension in PBS at hematocrit 6% through cellulose membrane. The observations show that in leprosy the aggregation of erythrocyte is marginally reduced and the deformability is significantly increased. These parameters in combination with low hemoglobin and hematocrit levels in these patients lowers the blood viscosity to maintain the transport of material across the capillary wall.