Does Nonspecific T-Lymphocyte Stimulation of B Lymphocytes Occur During Reversal Reaction in Borderline Leprosy?

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Abstract
Serum immunoglobulins G, A, and M were estimated in 14 patients with border-line cases of leprosy at commencement of treatment and subsequently when they developed 'reversal reaction'. There was a significant increase in all immunoglobulin levels during the reaction, with a subsequent fall; the postreaction values for IgG and IgA were below the base-line figures. Additonal investigations in six patients indicated that the rise was a nonspecific one, not brought about by an increase in antimycobacterial antibodies. It seems likely that the rise in immunoglobulins during reaction is due to nonspecific T-lymphocyte stimulation of B lymphocytes.