ABSTRACT
Background: Seropositive leprosy individuals have a tendency to experience a change into leprosy lepromatous type. Previous studies have demonstrated that the activity of indoleamine 2, 3-dioxygenase [IDO] in patients with lepromatous type leprosy is higher than those with tuberculoid type leprosy. However, no study has been available showing how IDO level can be correlated to seropositive subjects
Methods: Our observational cross-sectional study was conducted in Brebes, Central Java, Indonesia. Leprosy seropositivity was determined by measuring the level of anti-phenolic glycolipid-1 IgM and IDO level using ELISA
Results: Result of The IDO level in seropositive leprosy subjects was higher compared to those who were seronegative [p = 0.048]
Conclusion: In the early stage of leprosy infection, a high level of IDO level can already be found; therefore, it can affect immune response and ultimately affecting further course of the disease