[The identification of the antigenic determinants of Mycobacterium leprae passed through laboratory animals by using monoclonal antibodies].

The antigenic preparations of M. leprae isolated from the biopsy leproma material of leprosy patients, M. leprae obtained by passage through laboratory animals (armadillos, rats) and M. lepraemurium have been identified by indirect solid-phase enzyme immunoassay. Experiments made with the use of the set of monoclonal antibodies (McAb) to different M. leprae antigenic determinants, supplied by the WHO Bank of Monoclonal Antibodies (IMMLEP), have demonstrated the presence of common antigenic determinants in 65-kD protein of M. leprae obtained by passage through armadillos and rats and M. lepraemurium, as well as in 12-kD protein of M. leprae isolated from armadillos and rats and M. leprae isolated from the biotic material of human lepromas. The passage of M. leprae through experimental animals leads to the appearance of a new antigenic determinant in their structure, which is recognized by McAb 111E4.