[The electron immunochemical detection of mycobacterial antigens in the granulomas of leprosy patients].
M.leprae antigens (Ag) in skin granuloma macrophages from 10 untreated patients with active lepromatous leprosy were studied with the use of electron microscopic immunochemical methods. Peroxidase-conjugated antirabbit antibodies to M.leprae and M.avium were used. M.leprae Ag were found to be located in mycobacterial microcapsules, as well as in collagen fibers of the derma and the connective tissue of blood vessels with the signs of damaged collagen. In the latter case fixed immune complexes producing a damaging action on collagen fibers were probably detected together with free M.leprae Ag. The use of immunocytochemical methods may be rather valuable in the diagnosis of the indeterminate and tuberculoid forms of leprosy.
Maslov
A K
AK
Leprosy Research Institute, Astrakhan, Russia.
Diachina
M N
MN
D000942:Antigens, Bacterial / Q000032:analysis*; D001706:Biopsy; D006099:Granuloma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D015440:Leprosy, Lepromatous / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D016253:Microscopy, Immunoelectron; D009166:Mycobacterium leprae / Q000276:immunology*; D012867:Skin / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology
D000942:Antigens, Bacterial