Publication: Clinicohistopathological Correlation in Leprosy
Date
2011
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Kathmandu University
Abstract
ABSTRACT
Background
Leprosy is a chronic, infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae. It is
classified into five groups based on clinical, histological, microbiological and
immunological criteria (Ridley & Jopling Classification) . However, a great variation
has been observed in the interpretation of histopathological examination ok skin
biopsies and clinical presentation of the disease.
Objective
To correlate clinical diagnosis with histopathological diagnosis of leprosy patients
in Nepal.
Methods
A retrospective hospital-based study was conducted among patients with all clinical
types of leprosy, classified as per the Ridley-Jopling classification. Skin biopsies
were taken from active lesions in all patients and were stained with Hematoxylin
& Eosin stain and modified Fite-Ferraco stain for identification of Mycobacterium
leprae. The histopathological findings were compared with clinical diagnoses.
Results
A total 156 patients were studied, out of which 84 (53.8%) males and 72 (46.1%)
females between 8 and 86 years of age. The majority of patients 33 (23.57%)
were in the age group of 21-30 years and least affected was children below 10
years 1(0.007%).Overall coincidence of clinical and histopathological diagnoses
of classification was seen in 115 cases (80.4%). The maximum correlation
(95.2%) was noted in LL patients (p value 0.000049) followed by BT(89.74%), TT
(73.2%),BL(72.4%), BB(64.7%).
Conclusion
Leprosy still continues to be one of the common infectious disease in Nepal and
skin biopsy is a useful tool in confirming the clinical diagnosis of leprosy as well as
for the therapeutic guide.
KEY WORDS
Mycobacterium leprae, Leprosy, histopathology
Description
Mathur MC, Ghimire RBK, Shrestha P, Kedia SK
Department of Dermatology College of Medical Sciences Bharatpur, Chitwan, Nepal