Use of 18 and 36 kDa antigens of Mycobacterium leprae for detection of this micro-organism in Iranian leprosy patients by PCR

ABSTRACT

Mycobacterium leprae is an intracellular micro-organism that is the causative agent of leprosy. This micro-organism has a long division time and does not grow in vitro. For these reasons it is difficult to evaluate the effects of drugs on it. Amongst techniques used for detection of micro-organisms polymerase chain reaction [PCR] is promising. This study was conducted to diagnose lyprosy using two antigens by PCR. In this study by selecting specific M. leprae 36 kDa and 18 kDa antigens, a set of primers were designed for each gene and biopsies from 15 patients were screened for presence of M. leprae by PCR. Specific segments of M. leprae antigens were replicated in 5 patients with these primers. PCR is a relevant and promising method for M.leprae detection in biopsies of leprosy patients and it can be considered as a method of choice for early leprosy detection, especially in high risk groups