Antígeno soluble Mycobacterium leprae y PPD en escolares de la Isla de Pascua y Santiago de Chile, 1987

Abstract

Cross reactions to purified protein derivative, PPD, of tuberculin and Mycobacterium leprae soluble antigen, MLSA, were measured among children of 6-14 years old from two areas. In the first zone, Pascua (Easter) Island, leprosy is endemic while in the second one, Santiago de Chile on the continent, leprosy is non endemic. Children in each locality were simultaneously inoculated with PPD and MLSA on right and left forearms, respectively. Readings were performed 48 h later. Statistic analyses demonstrated and evident cross reaction between the antigens. A significant greater reaction was also observed in endemic area (Pascua Island) than in non endemic area (Santiago) both for PPD and MLSA.