Anti-Mycobacterium leprae antibodies in urine from lepromatous patients examined by crossed immunoelectrophoresis and radioimmunoassay.
Precipitating anti-Mycobacterium leprae antibodies were found in concentrated urine samples from 21 out of 42 lepromatous patients. These antibodies were directed against M. leprae antigens 5, 6, and 7. In a radioimmunoassay for anti-M. leprae antibodies, 90% of these patients had higher antibody levels in their urine than control persons. There was a positive correlation between anti-M. leprae antibody levels in serum and urine. The advantages of using atraumatically collected samples like urine in epidemiological work are pointed out. The present report shows that urine can be used to measure the antibody response to a specified microorganism causing infection outside the urinary tract. The possible presence of antibodies in urine should alert researchers who look for antigens in urine to choose assays that minimize interference by such antibodies.
D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000097:blood / Q000652:urine*; D000918:Antibody Specificity; D006801:Humans; D007123:Immunoelectrophoresis, Two-Dimensional; D007918:Leprosy / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology / Q000652:urine*; D009166:Mycobacterium leprae / Q000276:immunology*; D011863:Radioimmunoassay
D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial