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Two methods for detecting the phenolic glycolipid, PGL-1. a Mycobacterium leprae-specific molecule, in the urine of leprosy patients are described. Both methods rely on the l00-fold preconcentration of the urine, which can be accomplished by a single-step ultrafiltration procedure. The equivalent of approximately 2.5μg of PGL-1/ml was detected in the urine of LL patients with an inhibition ILISA. The second method, a direct dot-blot assay on nitrocellulose paper, was much simpler and more sensitive. As little as 3 ng of antigen was detected by the dot-blot technique. PGL-1 was detected in the urine of LL patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]