Fig 2.

Mean ΔIFN-γ levels (pg/ml) estimated by ELISA in duplicate samples of supernatants from PBMC cultures from 16 ENL patients stimulated with Lsr2 peptides A through F and whole antigens as described in the legend to Fig. 1. Black bars indicate IFN-γ levels during active ENL reaction, and gray bars indicate values obtained under the same conditions in the same patients 1 year later for the same peptide. Values are given in a log₂ scale on the y axis. Significant reductions in IFN-γ levels were noted in the 1 year post-ENL group of patients for peptides and M. leprae (P < 0.001, Kruskal-Wallis test) but not for Lsr2. Unstimulated cultures showed mean IFN-γ levels of <8 to 5 pg/ml, and each value was subtracted from the value for paired stimulated cultures to obtain ΔIFN-γ values. The sensitivity of the assay was 8 pg/ml.