Angiotensin converting enzyme in the blood serum of patients with tuberculosis and leprosy
Vinnik, L.A.; Gerovich, L.M.; Balybin, E.S.
Problemy Tuberkuleza 5: 54-56
1990
ISSN/ISBN: 0032-9533 PMID: 2167476 Document Number: 361740
Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) levels in the serum of 15 patients with pulmonary tuberculosis and 9 with leprosy were measured by means of a spectrophotometric method. The serum produced from 10 blood donors was used as a control. Leprosy is accompanied by a sharp drop of ACE levels, which is attributed by the authors to a cellular immunodeficiency. In case of tuberculosis, a higher ACE level in blood often follows fibrosis formed in the lung along with a tuberculin hyperergia. The opinion that the ACE level reflects the tuberculosis or leprosy activity as well as the granulomatous tissue extension in tuberculosis patients has not been confirmed.