IMMUNOFLUORESCENCE STUDIES IN REACTIONAL LEPROSY WITH RELEVANCE TO TREATMENT

Twenty-three biopsies of skin lesions of patients with various types of leprosy, showing a recent reaction, were examined by means of immunofluorescence (IF) methods. The patients were divided into two groups according to the number of inflammatory cells, staining with various FTC-labelled antiimmunoglobulin antisera, in representative areas of the biopsies. It was found that the presence of these cells was correlated with a good response to thalidomide treatment. © 1978 Springer-Verlag.