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*

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

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

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

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

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

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 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 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

Hansen's disease, chronic infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae. The different clinical presentations of the disease are determined by the quality of the host immune response. The bacteria have affinity for the skin and peripheral nerves and are likely the cause of neuropathy, a cardinal manifestation of the disease. WHO recommends a protocol of multidrug therapy(MDT), which effectively controls the disease, hence contributing to the global elimination program. Early detection of leprosy and treatment by MDT are the most important steps in preventing deformity and disability. For the understanding of recent characteristics of the new & relapse Hansen' disease in Institute for Leprosy Research Korea, we are summarized and reported the epidemiological factors. During recent 5 years(2004-2008), we were experienced 26 new cases and 12 relapse cases of Hansen's disease in our institute, diagnosis by the clinical finding, skin smear, skin biopsy, lepromin test, ELISA for PGL-I antibody, and DNA-PCR. 1. In 26 new cases, the mean age is 64.11 in 18 Koreans and 27.75 in 8 foreigners(Indonesia, Nepal, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand), the types of Hansen's disease are 19 lepromatous, 2 borderline and 5 tuberculoid, mean BI is 3.7+, mean O.D. of PGL-I antibody is 0.697, numbers of TTC repeat are 12(7 cases), 11(6 cases), 13(5 cases), 10(4 cases), 16(2 cases), and 31(1 case) and of GACATC repeats are 4(all 18 Koreans) and 3(all 8 foreigners). Among 26 new cases, 1 case(53ACC/GCC) has the mutation of folP1 gene and all new cases have no mutation of rpoB gene. 2. In 12 relapse cases(all Koreans), the mean age is 61.08, the types of Hansen's disease are all 12 lepromatous, mean BI is 4.8+,and mean O.D. of PGL-I antibody is 0.960, and numbers of TTC repeat are 11(6 cases), 12(4 cases), and 13(1 case), and of GACATC repeats are 4(all 12 Koreans). Among 12 relapse cases, 3 cases(55CCC/CGC) and 1 case(53ACC/ GCC) have the mutation of folP1 gene and 3 cases(425TCG/TTG) and 1 case(420CAC/GAC) have the mutation of rpoB gene. 2 relapse cases have the mutation of folP1 & rpoB gene.
Bacteria ; Biopsy ; Communicable Diseases ; Congenital Abnormalities ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Korea ; Lepromin ; Leprosy ; Mycobacterium leprae ; Nepal ; Peripheral Nerves ; Philippines ; Recurrence ; Skin ; Sri Lanka