Korean Lepr Bull.  2021 Dec;54(1):.

Analysis of phenolic glycolipid 1 antibody among non- leprosy patients at dermatology clinic in recent 3years

• Park JM
• Kim JP

Abstract

Background
Leprosy is an infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae. As Mycobacterium leprae cannot be cultured in artificial media, various diagnostic methods have been proposed. Phenolic glycolipid-1, Mycobacterium leprae specific cell component, antibody test contributes to earlier diagnosis of leprosy.
Objective
Phenolic glycolipid-1 antibody value mostly shows the negative results in non-leprosy patients. Therefore, we evaluated in which cases dermatologist tested for Phenolic glycolipid-1antibody among the non-leprosy patients.
Methods
We retrospectively analyzed the medical records of patients who visited the dermatology department which belong to the institute for leprosy research, Korean Hansen welfare association. Medical records have been investigated on people who tested Phenolic glycolipid-1antibody in recent 3 years. Among the patients, compatible with clinical findings of leprosy or confirmed with leprosy by other methods were excluded.
Results
A total of 92 patients were tested for Phenolic glycolipid-1 antibody at the dermatology clinic, of which 63(n=34, foreigners) were male and 29(n=2, foreigners) were females. Among the 92 patients, 6 were workers at institutions related to leprosy, 16 were family members of leprosy, 2 were cured leprosy patients, 22 were contacts or voluntarily wanted test, and 46 were for doctor's differential diagnosis. Among them, one patient who wanted a voluntary test showed a markedly increased level of Phenolic glycolipid-1antibody.
Conclusion
We confirmed through the Phenolic glycolipid-1antibody test when and why the doctors and patients performed tests for the diagnosis of leprosy. Phenolic glycolipid-1 antibody test as a non-invasive method can be not only an optional but also helpful diagnostic tool for leprosy.

Keyword

Leprosy; Mycobacterium leprae; Phenolic glycolipid-1