<p><italic>Mycobacterium leprae</italic>, a causative agent of leprosy, primarily affects skin and peripheral nerves. Since leprosy is thought to be an immunological disease, identification and characterization of <italic>M.leprae</italic> antigens has formed an important part of the leprosy research to improve our understanding of the immune response to the bacteria. However, thus far, <italic>M. leprae</italic> is not cultivable <italic>in vitro</italic> and thereby getting sufficient amount of native antigens is a problem. The recent completion of gene sequencing of <italic>M.leprae</italic> has opened the paths for generating recombinant <italic>M.leprae</italic> antigens and for their use in diagnosis, vaccinology and understating the pathogenesis of leprosy. Once diagnosed properly, the leprosy is curable. However, many a times, a clinician needs some alternative test to confirm the diagnosis of leprosy. In this context, assays based on the detection of specific antibodies in serum are considered attractive as they are simple, cost effective and easily implement able in conditions faced in developing countries. In search of a better serodiagnostic tool, we have explored the serological potential of some <italic>M.leprae</italic> recombinant antigens like: serine rich protein of 45kDa molecular weight (45kDa), early secreted antigenic target-6 (ESAT-6) and culture filtrate antigen of 10 kDa molecula weight (CFP-10). Further, we have developed some strategies whereby we could detect higher number of leprosy patients. Over and above, we have been investigating some more antigens to improve the performance of serological approach for detection of leprosy patients. The recent findings obtained at our laboratory and their possible applications would be presented and discussed.</p></sec></body></article></article></body></html>

JII

Journal of Immunology and Immunopathology

0972-0561

The Indian Society of Immunology & Immunopathology

jii-8-2-siip009

RESEARCH NOTE

Understanding pathogenesis of leprosy employing serological tools

Parkash

Immunology Laboratory, National JALMA Institute for Leprosy and Other Mycobacterial Diseases, TajGanj, Agra1, India.

122006

82105105

<p><italic>Mycobacterium leprae</italic>, a causative agent of leprosy, primarily affects skin and peripheral nerves. Since leprosy is thought to be an immunological disease, identification and characterization of <italic>M.leprae</italic> antigens has formed an important part of the leprosy research to improve our understanding of the immune response to the bacteria. However, thus far, <italic>M. leprae</italic> is not cultivable <italic>in vitro</italic> and thereby getting sufficient amount of native antigens is a problem. The recent completion of gene sequencing of <italic>M.leprae</italic> has opened the paths for generating recombinant <italic>M.leprae</italic> antigens and for their use in diagnosis, vaccinology and understating the pathogenesis of leprosy. Once diagnosed properly, the leprosy is curable. However, many a times, a clinician needs some alternative test to confirm the diagnosis of leprosy. In this context, assays based on the detection of specific antibodies in serum are considered attractive as they are simple, cost effective and easily implement able in conditions faced in developing countries. In search of a better serodiagnostic tool, we have explored the serological potential of some <italic>M.leprae</italic> recombinant antigens like: serine rich protein of 45kDa molecular weight (45kDa), early secreted antigenic target-6 (ESAT-6) and culture filtrate antigen of 10 kDa molecula weight (CFP-10). Further, we have developed some strategies whereby we could detect higher number of leprosy patients. Over and above, we have been investigating some more antigens to improve the performance of serological approach for detection of leprosy patients. The recent findings obtained at our laboratory and their possible applications would be presented and discussed.</p></sec></body></article></article></body></html>