A controlled study of polymorphisms in serum globulin and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency in leprosy.

Few studies of genetically determin ed traits, other than erythrocyte antigens, or phenylthiocarbamide taste ability (1 , ~, .1,r" IO), have been conducted in leprosy, Therefore, as part of an investiga tion of genetic polymorphism and leprosy conducted under the auspices of the Leonard Wood Memorial, five genetic markers were studied in leprosy patients and controls from Cebu, Philippines. Included were the enzyme glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase ( G6PD ) and four serum proteins, viz. , haptoglobins, transferrins, groupspecific components (Gc ), and the (3lipoprotein ( Ag"). Haptoglobin is a protein component of -::he serum that has the capaci ty to bind hemoglobin. In hemolytic diseases, the hemoglobin from destroyed cells is removed from circulation as a haptoglobinhemoglobin complex, In such states the