Serum lactoferrin in lepromatous leprosy patients

The serum concentrations of lactoferrin were determined by competitive enzyme immunoassay in the sera of 38 lepromatous leprosy patients and 16 healthy volunteers. Of the 38 lepromatous patients, 25 were without any sign of reactions while 13 were suffering from ENL type of reactions. The lactoferrin levels, in both types of patients, were observed to be significantly higher (P < 0.01 and < 0.001, respectively) than in that of healthy volunteers. The rise in lactoferrin level in reactive patients was also higher (P < 0.05) when compared to those without reactions. The serum lactoferrin levels were also found to be associated with bacterial load (r = 0.414; P < 0.01) indicating that in lepromatous leprosy patients, lactoferrin may not be very effective in preventing the growth of Mycobacterium leprae. Further studies to improve the understanding of the role of elevated levels of lactoferrin in pathogenesis of lepromatous leprosy patients and in establishing its possible use in predicting the occurrence of ENL type of reactions would be worthwhile pursuing.