title: A serologic study of naturally acquired leprosy in chimpanzees.
abstract: Data from longitudinally obtained serum samples spanning several years has permitted us to identify two chimpanzees with leprosy and to estimate the time of Mycobacterium leprae exposure/infection. The results confirm high levels of specific anti-M. leprae phenolic glycolipid-I (PGL-I) as well as anti-lipo-arabinomannan (anti-LAM) antibodies in both chimpanzees, and identify additional chimpanzees with possible M. leprae exposure. The observations are consistent with the hypothesis that leprosy exists in chimpanzees in the U.S.A. and suggest the possibility that M. leprae may be transmitted among chimpanzees. The data suggest that monitoring anti-PGL-I and anti-LAM IgG and IgM levels longitudinally in leprosy contacts may be useful in the recognition of preclinical leprosy.
authors.affiliation: Delta Regional Primate Research Center, Tulane University Department of Microbiology, Covington, Louisiana 70433.
authors.forename: B J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Gormus
authors.forename: K Y
authors.initials: KY
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.forename: P L
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: Alford
authors.forename: D R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: G B
authors.initials: GB
authors.lastname: Hubbard
authors.forename: J W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Eichberg
authors.forename: W M
authors.initials: WM
authors.lastname: Meyers
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000097:blood*; D000942:Antigens, Bacterial / Q000276:immunology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D006017:Glycolipids / Q000276:immunology; D007918:Leprosy / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology / Q000662:veterinary*; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides / Q000276:immunology; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D009166:Mycobacterium leprae / Q000276:immunology*; D002679:Pan troglodytes
chemical_list: D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial; D000942:Antigens, Bacterial; D006017:Glycolipids; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides; C050016:lipoarabinomannan; C045169:phenolic glycolipid I, Mycobacterium leprae