title: The role of IgM antiphenolic glycolipid-1 antibodies in assessing household contacts of leprosy patients in a low endemic area.
abstract: This study was carried out to assess the role PGL-1 antibodies may have to play in assisting with early diagnosis in close contacts of leprosy patients. Blood samples were collected from patients and contacts. It was found that 6.9% of index cases and 1% of healthy contacts were positive for PGL-1 antibody. None of the healthy contacts developed clinical leprosy and all had become seronegative at follow-up. We conclude that screening for PGL-1 antibodies has a limited role in the screening of healthy contacts and may not be of use in low endemic areas.
authors.affiliation: Anandaban Leprosy Hospital, Kathmandu, Nepal.
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Soares
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Failbus
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Chalise
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Kathet
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000942:Antigens, Bacterial; D002648:Child; D018562:Disease Transmission, Infectious; D005260:Female; D006017:Glycolipids / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D007918:Leprosy / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology / Q000635:transmission*; D008297:Male; D009390:Nepal; D012698:Serologic Tests
chemical_list: D000942:Antigens, Bacterial; D006017:Glycolipids; C045169:phenolic glycolipid I, Mycobacterium leprae