Pruebas en tarjeta para la lepra

Abstract

Although there is no serological test for the diagnosis of leprosy, it has been observed that positive reactions to serological tests for syphilis occur to a fairly high degree in the lepromatous form of the disease. This suggested the possibility that the rapid plasma reagin (RPR) test, whose effectiveness in the field and under clinic conditions has been confirmed, might be employed for leprosy

This article contains some observations which appear to confirm this possibility, and furnishes data pertaining to the development of card tests for leprosy both for field use and for large-scale testing

Antigen solutions containing cardiolipin, lecithin, and cholesterol were compounded. In preparing the antigen solutions the method used was essentially similar to that employed in preparing antigen suspension for the RPR card test. The first step is similar to that used in preparing the VDRL test suspension. The antigen suspensions were then centrifuged at 2,000 times the force of gravity, and the sediments were resuspended in a volume of suspending fluid equal to that of the suspension centrifuged and consisting of disodium salt, phosphate buffered saline, and aqueous charcoal suspension

Leprosy tests were then caried out with 18 mm and 14 mm "circle" cards. Serum was spread on the plastic coated card and antigen suspensions containing charcoal was added. When 18 mm cards were used a mechanical ...(AU)

Publicado en inglés en el Int. Journal Leprosy 34:420-426, 1966