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Diagnostic value ofIn Situ Polymerase Chain Reaction in leprosy

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Abstract

Objective : This prospective study was carried out to assess the diagnostic value ofin situ Polymerase Chain Reaction in leprosy, particularly in enhancing the histopathological diagnosis.Method : Clinical examination of 20 patients (<16 yr) was done and skin smear for AFB was prepared. Biopsy of lesion site was taken for histopathological examination andin situ PCR testing.Results : The histopathological examination confirmed the clinical diagnosis in 45% cases only; non-specific histopathology was reported in the remaining 55% cases.In situ PCR showed a positivity of 57.1% in early/ localized form of leprosy (IIBT) and 61.5% in (BB/BL) group. When compared to histopathology examination, a significant enhancement of 15% in diagnosis was seen. Within situ PCR, the diagnosis could be confirmed in 4/11 (36.3%) cases with non-specific histopathological features, (which is common in early disease) in addition to confirmation of 8/9 (88.8%) histopathologically-confirmed tissue sections. Histopathology andin situ PCR, combined together, confirmed the diagnosis in 13/20 cases (65% of total cases).Conclusion : Thus,in situ PCR is an important diagnostic tool especially in early and doubtful cases of leprosy.

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Author notes

  1. S. P. Singh & P. P. Mathur

    Present address: Department of Pediatrics, S.N. Medical College, Agra, India

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Central JALMA Institute for Leprosy and other Mycobacterial Diseases (ICMR), Agra, India

    V. M. Katoch, K. Katoch & M. Natrajan

  2. Department of Pediatrics, S.N. Medical College, Agra, India

    R. Dayal, V. M. Katoch, K. Katoch & M. Natrajan

Authors
  1. R. Dayal
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  2. S. P. Singh
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  3. P. P. Mathur
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  4. V. M. Katoch
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  5. K. Katoch
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  6. M. Natrajan
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Correspondence to R. Dayal.

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Dayal, R., Singh, S.P., Mathur, P.P. et al. Diagnostic value ofIn Situ Polymerase Chain Reaction in leprosy. Indian J Pediatr 72, 1043–1046 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02724408

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