Study of Serum S-100 Protein in Leprosy Patients / 나학회지

ABSTRACT

Leprosy is a granulomatous disease primarily affecting the peripheral nerves. The pathogenesis would be related to the cell-mediated response to mycobacterial antigens, metabolic and biochemical change of Schwann cell, circulating demyelinating factors and other autoimmune process. A specific nerve tissue protein, S-100 protein, has been demonstrated in normal nerves and nerve complexes. The stains of S-100 protein in dermal nerves of leprosy patients have been suggested in assessing the presence of nerve damage. We have estimated the concentration of S-100 protein in the sera of 64 leprosy patients(38 lepromatous leprosy, 26 tuberculoid leprosy) and that of 20 normal controls without neurologic disorders by ELISA. The results obtained were as follows 1. The mean S-100 protein concentration was 0.0042ng/ml in a total of 64 leprosy patients, with 0.0062ng/ml in lepromatous type and 0.018ng/ml in tuberculoid type. The controls showed 0.0017ng/ml. 2. The analysis of age and serum S-100 protein concentration in both types showed lower value in the fifties of tuberculoid type(p0.05). 3. The analysis of duration of illness and serum S-100 protein concentration in both types showed higher value in the forties and fifties in lepromatous type(p0.05). 4. The mean S-100 protein concentration of patients with neurologic symptoms was 0.0577ng/ml, in contrast with 0.0016ng/ml in patients without neurologic symptoms (p<0.05). In conclusion, the measurement of serum S-100 protein would play a potential role of a useful marker of assessing nerve damage in leprosy patients, esp, with neurologic symptoms.