IgM Anti PGL-1 Antibody Level in Patients with Leprosy: A Comparative Study between Ear Lobes Capillary and Median Cubital Vein Blood Samples

BACKGROUND: To establish the diagnosis of leprosy accurately, additional examination such as serologic examination with ELISA is required. There are considerations about taking a blood sample from the earlobe region. AIM: To determine the differences in IgM anti-PGL-1 antibody levels from earlobe capillary and median cubital vein blood sample in leprosy patients. METHODS: An observational analytic study using a cross-sectional study involving 30 patients with leprosy. ELISA examination of earlobe blood samples with filter paper, and the median cubital vein blood samples with filter paper and conventional methods were performed to determine IgM anti-PGL-1 antibody levels. RESULTS: The mean value of IgM anti PGL-1 antibody levels from earlobe blood samples with filter paper (1476.62 μ/ml) was relatively similar with median cubital vein blood samples with conventional method (1476.77 μ/ml), but the mean value of IgM anti PGL-1 antibody levels from median cubital vein blood samples with filter paper (1210.37 μ/ml) was lower from other methods. However, there was no statistically significant difference between them. CONCLUSION: There are no significant differences between the mean levels of IgM anti-PGL-1 antibody from earlobe and the median cubital vein blood samples.