Immunoglobulin A (IgA) in nasal washings and saliva of leprosy patients

Abstract

IgA levels in nasal washings and saliva were determined in leprosy patients and healthy controls. In addition, serum levels of IgA, IgG, and IgM and total serum protein were analyzed. IgA levels in the nasal washings, but not in the salivas, were elevated significantly in the borderline (BL) and lepromatous (LL) groups. In the tuberculoid (TT) and borderline tuberculoid (BT) groups, the IgA levels in both the nasal washings and salivas did not differ from the controls. Total protein was also elevated in the nasal washings in the BL and LL groups. Thus, the IgA expresses as mg/mg protein did not differ significantly from the control group. However, in individual patients the levels of IgA and total protein were not correlated in either the nasal washings or the salivas. The high serum immunoglobulin and protein levels were in accord with the findings of most other workers.