Evidence that the Mitsuda reaction to Mycobacterium leprae can be mediated by lymphocytes responsive to Mycobacterium tuberculosis. |
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| Authors: | P P Roberts H M Dockrell K P McAdam |
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| Affiliation: | Department of Clinical Tropical Medicine, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, UK. |
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| Abstract: | A positive Mitsuda skin test for delayed type hypersensitivity to Mycobacterium leprae is associated with a high level of protection against lepromatous leprosy, while the value of tuberculin sensitivity in leprosy is less pronounced. Cutaneous lymphocytes, isolated from the Mitsuda reaction of a PPD-positive individual not previously exposed to M. leprae, were cloned with Dharmendra lepromin and analysed for antigen specificity. Thirteen lepromin-responsive cell lines were derived, with greater than 95% certainty that the number of true clones was at least five and the number of functionally monoclonal lines at least seven. All lepromin-responsive clones proliferated in response to PPD as well, implying that PPD-responsive cells can fulfill the helper T cell function required for the in vivo Mitsuda reaction. |
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