02058nas a2200265   4500000000100000008004100001653000900042653001200051653001200063653001000075653001400085653001100099100001200110700001300122700001200135700001100147700001300158700001300171245008800184856006000272300001400332490000600346050001500352520142500367       2014                            d10aSkin10aLesions10aleprosy10aIndia10aHistology10aBiopsy1 aAneja P1 aBansal S1 aAneja M1 aSood K1 aSaxema A1 aSharma A00aA histological study to compare clinically uninvolved  and involved skin in leprosy  uhttp://jemds.com/data_pdf/2_prachi%20saffar%20aneja.pdf  a1097-11030 v3  aANEJA 20143 aLeprosy or ‘Kustha roga’ is no less than a social stigma in our country. In 1983 our government started ‘The National Leprosy Eradication Programme’. But even after the turn of century the goal is far from achieved. 
AIMS: To histologically verify affliction of apparently normal looking skin in leprosy patients so as to establish skin biopsy as a screening tool for early detection of leprosy, especially in high risk groups such as personnel working in leprosy homes. 
METHOD: The study was conducted on thirty clinically defined cases of lepromatous leprosy. Two skin biopsies were taken from every patient. The histology of the lesion was compared with the apparently uninvolved skin under pre-defined parameters. RESULTS: In Group B - All the cases presented with focal atrophy of epidermis, mild to moderate cellular infiltration in upper and mid dermis and varying degree of perivascular and periappendageal infiltration.10% cases revealed infiltration of deep dermis. 
INTERPRETATION AND CONCLUSION: Varying degree of histological alteration in clinically uninvolved skin is present in all cases under present study. 60% cases showed moderate and 10% cases revealed marked cellular infiltration. Mid dermis was involved in 20% of the cases. The author feels that for high risk groups such as those working in leprosy homes, having low levels of immunity skin biopsy as a screening tool is beneficial.