STUDIES ON THE LEPROMIN TEST (THE SEVENTH REPORT)

COMPARATIVE EVALUATION OF THE POTENCY TEST OF LEPROMIN IN TUBERCULIN SENSITIZED ANIMALS AND THAT EMPLOING LEPROSY PATIENTS

Abstract

Skin tests were conducted with serial dilutions of the same and different lots of lepromin preparation (the Dharmendra antigen) in guinea pigs sensitized with tubercle bacilli and in leprosy patients.
The results were as follows.
1) Serial dilutions from 150% to 66.6% of the Dharmendra antigen were administered in guinea pigs sensitized with tubercle bacilli and in leprosy patients. It was found that the animals responded with greater sensitivety and constancy and a difference in reaction size was noted compared to the leprosy patients.
2) Five lots of lepromin preparations of different manufacture, date and place were examined. The potency relation of these samples showed a similar trend.
3) Therefore, evaluation of the potency of lepromin is considered possible by using guinea pigs sensitized with tubercle bacilli.