A study of serum protein in leprosy.

Total serum protein albumin, globulin and A/6 ratio were determined in 50 patients of different types of Leprosy and 15 healthy controls. A significant elevation of total serum proteins (P < 0.001) was observed in 25 patients of Lepromatous leprosy and 10 patients of lepra reaction. No statistically significant alteration in total serum protein (P < 0.05) was observed in 15 patients of non-lepromatous leprosy. A significant fall in serum albumin with concomitant rise in serum globulin level (P < 0.001) was observed in non-lepromatous leprosy, lepromatous and patients having lepra-reaction.

A study of platelet adhesiveness in leprosy.

Platelet adhesiveness was studied in fifty patients of leprosy and fifteen healthy individuals who served as control group. Platelet adhesiveness as determined by glass bead apparatus showed a trend towards elevation in patients of leprosy, being maximum in reactional phase, statistically also the increase being highly significant (p value less than 0.001). The observed increase in platelet adhesiveness may be due to marked tissue destruction and vasculitis seen in leprosy patients.

A study of serum fibrinolytic activity in leprosy.

Fibrinolytic activity was studied in 50 patients of leprosy and 30 healthy individuals who served as control. Fibrinolytic activity was determined by measuring euglobulin lysis. No significant alteration in fibrinolytic activity was observed in patients with non-lepromatous leprosy, the levels being approximately similar to control group. However, fibrinolytic activity was found to be significantly decreased in patients of lepromatous leprosy and lepra reaction group. The observed decrease in fibrinolytic activity can be explained on the basis of presence of tissue destruction and vasculitis seen in leprosy more so in patients with lepromatous leprosy and lepra reaction.