@article{6876,
  keywords = {Adolescent, Child, Child, Preschool, DNA, Bacterial, Female, Humans, leprosy, Male, Mycobacterium leprae, polymerase chain reaction, Prospective Studies, Skin},
  author = {Dayal R and Singh S P and Mathur P P and Katoch V M and Katoch K and Natrajan M},
  title = {Diagnostic value of in situ Polymerase Chain Reaction in leprosy.},
  abstract = {<p><b>OBJECTIVE: </b>This prospective study was carried out to assess the diagnostic value of in situ Polymerase Chain Reaction in leprosy, particularly in enhancing the histopathological diagnosis.</p><p><b>METHOD: </b>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 and in situ PCR testing.</p><p><b>RESULTS: </b>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. With in 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 and in situ PCR, combined together, confirmed the diagnosis in 13/20 cases (65% of total cases).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION: </b>Thus, in situ PCR is an important diagnostic tool especially in early and doubtful cases of leprosy.</p>},
  year = {2005},
  journal = {Indian journal of pediatrics},
  volume = {72},
  pages = {1043-6},
  month = {2005 Dec},
  issn = {0973-7693},
  doi = {10.1007/bf02724408},
  language = {eng},
}