@article{3389,
  keywords = {Antibodies, Bacterial, Antigens, Bacterial, Glycolipids, Humans, leprosy, Mycobacterium leprae, Skin},
  author = {Prakash K and Aggarwal R and Sehgal V N},
  title = {Significance of antibodies to phenolic glycolipid-I in leprosy diagnosis.},
  abstract = {<p>A gelatin particle agglutination assay for the detection of anti PGL-I antibodies in 40 clinically diagnosed and variously classified groups of leprosy cases revealed elevated PGL-I antibody titers in 85% of cases. In contrast, the slit-skin smear examination was positive in only 30% of cases. It was further observed that, out of 28 cases with Bacteriological Index (B.I.) zero, 22 cases (78.5%) had significant levels of PGL-I antibodies. There was no case in which the slit skin smear was positive and the PGL-I antibody titer was not significant. The elevated titers of PGL-I antibody better correlated (84%) with histopathological findings than did B.I. Thus it was concluded that estimation of PGL-I antibody titer is a better supplement to clinical diagnosis than B.I. Significant levels of PGL-I antibody were seen in 85% of cases who had no earlier chemotherapy or were treated for less than 2 months. Similar findings were observed in 12 patients who were on MDT for more than 5 months but for less than 2 years. In order to determine the significance of anti PGL-I antibodies in monitoring the response of patients to chemotherapy, a longer follow up with a greater number of cases should be contemplated.</p>},
  year = {1992},
  journal = {The Journal of dermatology},
  volume = {19},
  pages = {953-8},
  month = {1992 Dec},
  issn = {0385-2407},
  doi = {10.1111/j.1346-8138.1992.tb03811.x},
  language = {eng},
}