Phagocytosis in leprosy. I. The levels of 'diaphorase', β glucuronidase, acid phosphatase, alkaline phosphatase and lipase in circulating leucocytes

Peripheral blood leucocytes were obtained from 18 patients with active lepromatous leprosy and 18 healthy volunteers. These cells were disrupted and served as the source of β-galactosidase, acid phosphatase, alkaline phosphatase and lipase activities. A quantitative NBT test was performed with freshly prepared intact cell suspensions. Although most of the studied activities were slightly increased in the leprosy group, the differences resulted in non-statistical significance. Other enzymatic and metabolic activities have to be studied to corroborate that leucocytes from leprosy patients behave in an essentially normal manner.