title: Effect of treatment on immune responsiveness in lepromatous leprosy patients.
abstract: This study was performed in order to analyse whether the immune unresponsiveness to Mycobacterium leprae, largely seen in lepromatous patients, persisted after discharge from treatment. Lymphoproliferation and skin tests were performed using two mycobacterial antigens (M. leprae and BCG) in three groups of lepromatous patients grouped by treatment status. Forty-seven per cent of the lepromatous patients tested acquired reactivity to M. leprae after long-term treatment.
authors.affiliation: Leprosy Unit, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Brasil.
authors.forename: D A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Esquenazi
authors.forename: E P
authors.initials: EP
authors.lastname: Sampaio
authors.forename: A L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Moreira
authors.forename: M E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Gallo
authors.forename: S M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Almeida
authors.forename: E N
authors.initials: EN
authors.lastname: Sarno
mesh_terms: D003622:Dapsone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007916:Lepromin / Q000276:immunology*; D015440:Leprosy, Lepromatous / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology*; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D012882:Skin Tests
chemical_list: D007916:Lepromin; D003622:Dapsone