A study of cell mediated immunity in leprosy.

This paper presents a review of 123 cases of leprosy of different clinical types as regards to their status of cellular immunity. These 123 cases included 41 fresh cases, 18 cases of reaction and 64 cases of leprosy taking antileprosy treatment. Out of 41 untreated cases only 11 turned up for follow up and their lymphoblastic transformation was repeated 4 to 6 months after initiating the treatment. It was observed that cell mediated immunity as expressed in terms of percentage of blast cells is definitely depressed in leprosy, most in LL and least in TT. There is a definite increase in the percentage of blast cells after taking antileprosy treatment. The rise in percentage of blast cells and hence cellular immunity is relatively more in patients treated with Lamprene as compared to those treated with DDS. Reactions also have impact over immunity in leprosy. Thus, most of the patients with ENL show higher values for blast percentage as compared to those with lepra reaction. It appears that serial lymphocyte cultures if done in all cases of leprosy undergoing treatment will help in assessment of individual progress.