Evaluation of circulating immune complexes and antinuclear antibodies in Japanese patients with leprosy.

In 79 patients with leprosy a significant increase of anti-extractable nuclear antigen (ENA) antibodies and circulating immune complexes (CIC) was found. No correlation between CIC and anti-ENA antibodies was demonstrable. Since such a correlation is known from antinuclear antibodies and CIC in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus, it appears likely that anti-ENA antibodies do not play a causative role in CIC-mediated pathogenesis of leprosy.