Evaluation of circulating immune complexes and antinuclear antibodies in Japanese patients with leprosy.
In 79 patients with leprosy a significant increase of anti-extractable nuclear antigen (ENA) antibodies and circulating immune complexes (CIC) was found. No correlation between CIC and anti-ENA antibodies was demonstrable. Since such a correlation is known from antinuclear antibodies and CIC in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus, it appears likely that anti-ENA antibodies do not play a causative role in CIC-mediated pathogenesis of leprosy.
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear / Q000032:analysis* / Q000235:genetics; D000936:Antigen-Antibody Complex / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D007918:Leprosy / Q000276:immunology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010641:Phenotype; D011863:Radioimmunoassay
D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear; D000936:Antigen-Antibody Complex