A serologic Mycobacteria leprae gelatin particle agglutination (MLPA) in the diagnosis of leprosy: comparison with conventional enzyme-linked immunoassay and bacterial index.

Abstract

A gelatin particle agglutination test (MLPA) for the detection of anti-phenolic glycolipid-1 (PGL-1) antibodies was compared with the slit skin smear method in the diagnosis of leprosy. MLPA and BI tests showed a good agreement rate of 88.1% and MLPA and ELISA tests showed an excellent agreement rate 96.2%. This MLPA test is simple and reliable, it will be very convenient for the medical practitioners, it would be of great benefit for leprosy patient as well because this test would look like a routine blood examination compared with slit skin smear method which is widely known diagnostic tool for leprosy.