Status of fibrin degradation products in leprosy.

Abstract

ABSTRACTPlasmafibrinogen and fibrin degradation products (FDP) were estimated in 45 control subjects and 45 patients with various types of leprosy including 16 patients with erythema nodosum leprosum (ENL). The levels of FDP were quantified by using a suspension of Staphylococcus aureus (Newmans D2C strain). Significantly higher levels of plasma fibrinogen and FDP were observed in patients with lepromatous leprosy, especially with ENL, than in the controls. Only 3 lepromatous patients had plasma fibrinogen levels below the normal range; 2 of them had severe ENL and were suffering from nasal bleeding. Levels of D and E fragments were also estimated in another 20 control subjects and 13 lepromatous patients by haemagglutination inhibition technique and were found to be significantly elevated in the patients. It was inferred that raised FDP levels in such patients indicated an ongoing occult fibrinolysis during lepra reaction. A few lepromatous patients may show hypofibrinogenomia during severe ENL episodes.