Author observed histopathologically and immunologically the old lepers of 360 cases, having the duration of infection with average 11 years and 5months. Here summarize as follows : 1. Microscopically in L-type, lepra cells, or Virchow cells (foamy cells) were relatively large, and the infiltration showed the tendency to concentrate particularly around the periglandular regions. Free zones were mostly obscure and disappeared. 2. Tuberculoid structure tends to be obscured in T-type of leprosy. 3. The healings showed few granulomatous infiltration, rather the almost normal findings. But periglandular and perivascular infiltrates were present. 4. Lepromin test was considerably positive in T-type of leprosy (about 57.8%)
Lepromin ; Leprosy

Conjunctival and dermal injection of lepromin were made on the various lepers, 9 neurals, 7 lepromatouses, 3 mild lepromatouses, 15 neurals and 7 lepromatouses associated some ocular lesions each group. The following results were obtained. 1. In general, conjuntival reaction are shown similarly with dermal reaction. 2. Have not found out the conceivable specific ocular immunity for the antigen on this work.
Lepromin ; Leprosy*

In 2003, we found 6 new cases and 5 relapse cases, diagnosis by the clinical finding, skin smear, skin biopsy, lepromin test, ELISA for PGL-I antibody, and DNA-PCR. The results obtained were summarized as follows: 1. In new cases, the mean age was 62.5, mean BI is 4+,and mean O.D. of PGL-I antibody was 0.678, and numbers of TTC repeat was 12(4 cases), 18(1 case), and 20(1 case), and of GACATC repeats are 4(5 cases, Koreans)and 3(1 case, Filipino). 2. In relapse cases, the mean age was 59.4, mean BI is 4.6+,and mean O.D. of PGL-I antibody was 0.772, and numbers of TTC repeat was 11(4 cases), 15(1 case), and of GACATC repeats are 4(4 case, Koreans)and 3(1 case, Korean).
Biopsy ; Diagnosis ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Lepromin ; Leprosy ; Recurrence ; Skin

In 2007, we find 3 new cases and 3 relapse cases, diagnosis by the clinical finding, skin smear, skin biopsy, lepromin test, ELISA for PGL-I antibody, and DNA-PCR. The results obtained were summarized as follows: 1. In 3 new cases, 2 Koreans are 70 and 79 years old, one foreigner (Filipino) is 38 years old, mean BI is 2.8, and mean O.D. of PGL-I antibody is 0.22, and numbers of TTC repeat are 10(Korean), 11(Korean), and 12(Filipino), and of GACATC repeats are 4(2 Koreans) and 3(1 foreigner/ Filipino). All new cases have no mutation of folP1 & rpoB gene. 2. In 3 relapse cases, the mean age is 56.8, mean BI is 5.6+, and mean O.D. of PGL-I antibody is 0.70, and numbers of TTC repeat are 11(2 cases), and 12(1 case), and of GACATC repeats are 4(all 3 Koreans). Among 3 relapse cases, 2 cases have the mutation of folP1 gene and 2cases have the mutationo frpoB gene, especially one case have the mutation of both folP1 & rpoB gene.
Biopsy ; Emigrants and Immigrants ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Humans ; Lepromin ; Leprosy ; Recurrence ; Skin

It is generally accepted that tbe lepromin test is of great value in the type classification and the evaluation of the prognosis of leprosy. But the nature of the antigenicity in lepromin reaction stiIl remains uncertain. The present study was carried out to investigate the antigenic characteriatics of the early(Fernandez) and the late (Mitsuda) reactions to Mitsuda lepromin antigen. Mycobacterium leprae was purified by trypsin digestion from human lepromas, and was broken down by passing 5 times through a French Pressor at 16, 000 p.s.i.. From the broken cell suspension, cell wall, cytoplasm, very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) were prepared. IntradermaI skin tests were perforrned on 30 leprosy patients classified according to the Ridley-Jopling scale (4 TT, 6 BT, 2 BB, 7 BL and 11 LL), with 0. 1ml of the Mitsuda lepromin(intact cells) broken cells, cell wall, cytoplasm, VLDL and LPS antigens. Readings for the early and the late reactions were done 72 hours and 28 days, respectively, after itradermal injections of the above antigens. The results are summerized as follows: 1, Early reactions were elicited by broken cells, cell wall and cytoplasm in all of the patients who could react to Mitsuda lepromin antigen. VLDL and LPS antigens could also elicit early reactions in 9(56)% and in 14(88%), respectively, of the 10 patients who showed positive reaction to Mitsuda lepromin antigen. These results mean that the early reaction may be due to multiple antigena, originated either from M. leprae or from contaminated human tissues. 2. Late reactions were elicited by broken cells and cell wall antigens, but not by cytoplasm antigen, in all of the patients who showed late reactions to Mitsuda lepromin antigen. These results mean that broken cells also produce a late reaction and the specific antigen(s) of the late reaction may reside in the cell wall fraction of the M. leprae.
Cell Wall ; Classification ; Cytoplasm ; Digestion ; Humans ; Lepromin* ; Leprosy ; Lipoproteins ; Mycobacterium leprae ; Prognosis ; Reading ; Skin Tests ; Trypsin

In 2006, we find 7 new cases and one relapse case, diagnosis by the clinical finding, skin smear, skin biopsy, lepromin test, ELISA for PGL-I antibody, and DNA-PCR. In new cases, the mean age is 59.3, mean BI is 3.3+, mean O.D. of PGL-I antibody is 0.941, numbers of TTC repeat are 13(3 cases), 11(2 case), 12(1 cases), and 31(1 case), and of GACATC repeats are 4(5 Koreans) and 3(2 foreigners). In relapse case, a 45 years-old male patient is revealed that BI is 5+, O.D. of PGL-I antibody is 1.096, numbers of TTC repeat are 12 and GACATC repeats are 4.
Biopsy ; Diagnosis ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Humans ; Lepromin ; Leprosy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Recurrence ; Skin

In 2003, we find 5 new cases and one relapse case, diagnosis by the clinical finding, skin smear, skin biopsy, lepromin test, ELISA for PGL-I antibody, and DNA-PCR. The results obtained were summarized as follows: 1. In new cases, the mean age is 52.5, mean BI is 3.4+,and mean O.D. of PGL-I antibody is 0.531, and numbers of TTC repeat are 12(2 cases), 13(2 cases), and 11(1 case), and of GACATC repeats are 4(all 6 cases). 2. In relapse case, a 58 years-old male patient is revealed that BI is 6+,and O.D. of PGL-I antibody is 0.873, numbers of TTC repeat are 11 GACATC repeats are 4.
Biopsy ; Diagnosis ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Humans ; Lepromin ; Leprosy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Recurrence ; Skin

In 2005, we find 7 new cases and 5 relapse cases, diagnosis by the clinical finding, skin smear, skin biopsy, lepromin test, ELISA for PGL-I antibody, and DNA-PCR. The results obtained were summarized as follows: 1. In new cases, the mean age is 54.6, mean BI is 4.1+,and mean O.D. of PGL-I antibody is 0.866, and numbers of TTC repeat are 10(3 cases), 12(3 cases), and 11(1 case), and of GACATC repeats are 4(all Korean 5 cases) and 3(all foreigners 2cases). 2. In relapse case, the mean age is 65.0, mean BI is 4.6+,and mean O.D. of PGL-I antibody is 1.19, and numbers of TTC repeat are 11(2 cases), 12(1 cases), 13(1 case) and unknown(1 case), and of GACATC repeats are 4(all Korean 4 cases) and unknown(1 case).
Biopsy ; Diagnosis ; Emigrants and Immigrants ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Humans ; Lepromin ; Leprosy ; Recurrence ; Skin

Between 2008 and 2009, We found 9 new cases and 3 relapse cases, diagnosis by the clinical finding, skin smear, skin biopsy, lepromin test, ELISA for PGL-I antibody, and DNA-PCR. The obtained results were summarized as follows: 1. In 9 new cases, the mean age was 56.2 in 5 Koreans and 28.2 in 4 foreigners(Nepal, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Philippines), the types of Hansen's disease were 5 lepromatous(2 Koreans and 3 foreigners), 1 borderline(1 foreigner) and 2 tuberculoid(2 Koreans), mean BI was 3.4+, mean O.D. of PGL-I antibody was 0.445, numbers of TTC repeat are 16(2 Korean and 2 foreigners), 11(2 Koreans), 12(1 Koreans) and 13(1 Koreans), and of GACATC repeats are 4(4 Koreans) and 3(1 Korean and 4 foreigners). Among 9 new cases, 1 case has the mutation offolP1 gene. 2. All new cases had no mutation of & rpoB gene. 3. In 3 relapse cases, the mean age was 63.7, the types of Hansen's disease were 3 lepromatous(3 Koreans), mean BI was 4.0+,and mean O.D. of PGL-I antibody was 0.846, and numbers of TTC repeat were 12(2 cases), 11(1 case), and of GACATC repeats are 4(all 3 Koreans). Among 3 relapse cases, 1 case has the mutation ofrpoB gene.
Biopsy ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Lepromin ; Leprosy ; Recurrence ; Skin ; Sri Lanka ; Thailand

Several investigators have attempted to clarify th well-known phenomenon of anergy in lepromatous leprosy during past two decades, utilizing various methods of immunologic assessrvent, including response to skin test antigens, active skin sensitization with strong allergens, skin homograft survival rate, imrnunopathology of lymphnodes, in vitro blastogenic response by antigens or mitogens of lymphocytes, lymphokine production in vitro and measurement of peripheral T and B cell ratio. Howcver, there is no general agreement as to the cellular irnmunologic status of leprosy patients b tween various investigators. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the ability to mount cutaneous hypersensitivity reactions to various skin test antigens and to investigate active sensitization with DViCB in patients with leprosy. Ten polar lepromatous (LL) and 12 polar tuberculoid (TT) p-tients who have been treated at Department of Dermatology, National Iviedical Center and Seoul Nationa,l University Hospital were the subjects. The subjects have rcceived regular antileprosy chemotherapy with DDS and the average duration of treatment in LL and TT groups was 6. 2 and 4. 7 years, respectively. The control group included 10 healthy physicians and nurs-s. Skin test antigens includ=d lepromin (1 x10' bacilli,ml'), PPD (Parke-Davis 5ppJ/0.1ml), SK-SD (Lederle, 40 u SK and 10 u SD/0.1 ml), Candidin (Hollister stier Lab 1: 1000 dilution) and DNCB aceton solution in the concentrations of 1000ug,/0.1ml for sensitization and 100ug/0.1ml for challenge, respcctively. Skin reactions were read 48 hours after intraderrnal injection of 0.1 rnl of each antigen anci th.' metho4 of DNCB sensitization was same as described elsewhere. The result showed that in polar lepromatous leprosy patients, the skin reactivity to various antigens were generally decroased, as cornpared to both th healthy control group and polar tuberculoicl patients, especially to lepromin, PPD and I')NCB sensitization (p<0.05, respectively). We concluded thxt lepromatous leprosy patients were especially unresponsive to mycobacterial antigcns(lepromin and PPD) and to newly administered antigen (DNCB) and tbe possible mechanism was discussed.
Allergens ; Allografts ; Antigens ; Dermatology ; Dinitrochlorobenzene ; Drug Therapy ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity* ; Lepromin ; Leprosy* ; Leprosy, Lepromatous ; Lymphocytes ; Mitogens ; Research Personnel ; Seoul ; Skin Tests* ; Skin* ; Survival Rate