@article{17383,
  keywords = {Adolescent, Adult, Antigens, Bacterial, Clonal Anergy, Epitopes, Female, Humans, leprosy, Lymphocyte Activation, Male, Middle Aged, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Skin Tests, T-Lymphocytes},
  author = {Kaleab B and Wondimu A and Likassa R and Woldehawariat N and Ivanyi J},
  title = {Sustained T-cell reactivity to Mycobacterium tuberculosis specific antigens in 'split-anergic' leprosy.},
  abstract = {<p>Split anergy represented by delayed-type hypersensitivity skin reaction to tuberculin, but not to leprosin, is known to occur in a distinct proportion of leprosy patients. The mechanism was originally attributed to Mycobacterium leprae-specific suppression of T cells toward common mycobacterial antigens. This study ascertained an alternative explanation, attributing the phenomenon to selective responsiveness to M. tuberculosis-specific epitopes. Indeed, the results of blood T-cell proliferative responses in 11 split-anergic patients showed normal responsiveness to the M. tuberculosis-specific 38 kDa lipoprotein and peptide 71-91 of the 16 kDa antigen but diminished responsiveness to 2 common mycobacterial antigens, represented by the 65 kDa heat shock protein and the fibronectin-binding Ag85 complex, as compared with leprosin responsive patients and healthy contacts. These findings support the hypothesis that split anergy is due to selective recognition of M. tuberculosis-specific epitopes and deletion of T cells reacting to shared mycobacterial antigens.</p>},
  year = {1995},
  journal = {Leprosy review},
  volume = {66},
  pages = {19-25},
  month = {1995 Mar},
  issn = {0305-7518},
  url = {http://leprev.ilsl.br/pdfs/1995/v66n1/pdf/v66n1a03.pdf},
  language = {eng},
}