Lymphocytotoxins in leprosy.

Lymphocytotoxic antibodies (LCAs) were assayed in serum samples from 60 patients of leprosy spectrum before starting multi-drug therapy (MDT). Seventeen healthy volunteers without any history of viral infection provided control samples. Post treatment follow up samples were also included in the study. In all pretreatment sera of LL, BL and BT/TT patients the levels of LCAs were elevated, the figures were 39.05 +/- 23.87, 44.89 +/- 20.74 and 34.16 +/- 17.50 respectively. With treatment a significant fall in LcAs production was observed in all types of leprosy patients.

Phagocytic function of monocytes in murine model of Echinococcus granulosus of human origin.

Phagocytic function of monocytes was studied in E. granulosus infected Swiss albino mice, with haemolysin coated sheep erythrocytes, Staphylococcus aureus, latex particles and- Echinococcus antigen coated latex particles. No significant difference in percentage phagocytic activity was observed in mice in the early stages of infection when compared to non-infected controls (P greater than 0.05). However, in the later stages of infection, increase in the phagocytic activity was noticed. The activity was more prominent against latex particles coated with Echinococcus antigen (P less than 0.001). Although the significance of these responses is not clear, this study showed an intact inflammatory response with certain degree of specificity.