Characterization of Leprosy Sera with Various Mycobacterial Antigens Using Double Diffusion-in-Gel Analysis

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Abstract
Humoral antibodies against various mycobacterial antigens were demonstrated in six of the 12 sera from leprosy patients with double diffusion-in-gel analyses. All six reactive sera were from bacillary positive patients. The sera from the bacillary negative patients formed no precipitates with any of the antigens. An antibody common to these six sera was identified as anti-[beta]. The antigen factor corresponding to this precipitin has been found in at least 8 species of mycobacteria. It is heat stable and may possibly be polysaccharide in nature. None of the sera tested formed a precipitate when a lepromin preparation was used as an antigen.