Schoolchildren survey and community survey for the determination of seroprevalence against IgM anti phenolic glycolipid-i antibody in leprosy endemic areas, South Sulawesi, Indonesia: A comparative study

Abstract

This study reports on the usefulness of IgM anti phenolic glycolipid-1 (PGL-I) antibody detection using Mycobacterium leprae particle agglutination (MLPA) test in a schoolchildren survey compared with a community survey in leprosy endemic areas, Indonesia. Two villages with total registered persons 1729 and 3077 respectively were chosen to determine the seroprevalence of each village. Among 510 and 1496 examined persons in a population survey it turned out that 18.4% and 40.4% respectively were seropositive to IgM anti PGL-I antibody. In 80 and 44 examined schoolchildren of the same respective areas 17.6% and 40.9% were found seropositive. No significant difference on seroprevalence was found between schoolchildren and community survey in each village. In conclusion, schoolchildren survey may be useful in determining the seroprevalence of leprosy infection and reflect the magnitude of seroprevalence among a population in a leprosy endemic area at village level.