01802nas a2200241   4500000000100000008004100001260001300042653002600055653002400081653001600105653001100121653001200132653002500144653000900169100001400178700001500192700001500207245007800222300001000300490000700310520122900317022001401546       1992                            d  c1992 Dec10aAntibodies, Bacterial10aAntigens, Bacterial10aGlycolipids10aHumans10aleprosy10aMycobacterium leprae10aSkin1 aPrakash K1 aAggarwal R1 aSehgal V N00aSignificance of antibodies to phenolic glycolipid-I in leprosy diagnosis.  a953-80 v193 a<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>  a0385-2407