USE OF THE ELISA TO SCREEN FOR ANTI-THYMOCYTE AND ANTI-BETA-2-MICROGLOBULIN ANTIBODIES IN LEPROSY AND SLE

  • 1 January 1980
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 41  (4) , 865-873
Abstract
The use of the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to measure antibody to preparations of human thymocyte membranes (HTMA) and to .beta.2-microglobulin is reported. The assay described is simple and rapid, and requires only small quantities of an easily stored membrane preparation. The advantages of this technique over conventional methods involving cytotoxicity are discussed. Raised levels of IgM antibody to .beta.2-microglobulin were detected in sera from active lepromatous leprosy cases but not in sera from SLE [systemic lupus erythematosus] patients. Raised levels of IgG and IgM antibody to HTMA were found in sera from most active lepromatous cases. Of 8 sera from SLE patients 2 showed raised IgG anti-HTMA, but not raised IgM.