title: Immunoglobulin-bearing cells in leprosy.
abstract: Peripheral blood lymphocytes of 28 untreated and 17 treated patients with different types of leprosy were investigated for the occurrence of immunoglobulin (Ig) bearing cells by means of a smear method. Seven healthy Africans served as controls. In a later stage a complementary study was performed on 6 tuberculoid and 6 lepromatous leprosy patients by means of a suspension method. The immunofluorescence technique was used for the detection of Ig-bearing cells, In tuberculoid leprosy an increase of Ig-bearing cells seems to occur during treatment, predominantly expressed by an increase in IgD-bearing cells. In lepromatous leprosy no increased percentages of Ig-bearing cells were observed.
mesh_terms: D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D006801:Humans; D007136:Immunoglobulins / Q000032:analysis*; D007918:Leprosy / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D007136:Immunoglobulins