Biopsy specimens of apparently uninvolved skin from 34 patients with lepromatous leprosy were studied histologically. Bacilli were found in 30 of 31 specimens from clinically polar or near-polar lepromatous patients but not in the three from nonpolar patients. A predominantly perivascular distribution of infiltrate and bacilli is consistent with a hematogenous spread of infection. Subclinical, diffuse lepromatous leprosy is found in patients with nodular lesions and may precede the development of nodules. Study of apparently uninvolved skin may be helpful in classifying patients, in interpreting immunologic responses, and in elucidating the natural history of the illness.
BT - Archives of dermatology C1 - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1200662?dopt=Abstract DA - 1975 Dec IS - 12 J2 - Arch Dermatol LA - eng N2 -Biopsy specimens of apparently uninvolved skin from 34 patients with lepromatous leprosy were studied histologically. Bacilli were found in 30 of 31 specimens from clinically polar or near-polar lepromatous patients but not in the three from nonpolar patients. A predominantly perivascular distribution of infiltrate and bacilli is consistent with a hematogenous spread of infection. Subclinical, diffuse lepromatous leprosy is found in patients with nodular lesions and may precede the development of nodules. Study of apparently uninvolved skin may be helpful in classifying patients, in interpreting immunologic responses, and in elucidating the natural history of the illness.
PY - 1975 SP - 1571 EP - 4 T2 - Archives of dermatology TI - Apparently normal skin in lepromatous leprosy: histopathological findings. UR - https://cdn.edhub.ama-assn.org/ama/content_public/journal/derm/14050/archderm_111_12_004.pdf?Expires=1709269732&Signature=NXOzqNKu3wY7Pu7iEPBqbQIOkJwvyWMGS1hii0mVs~pOQXT4ogHoZpAHYEyHdJHigwXBV-Qs4PpzmXv074hDYcA1gGR-HekNVN1J1glKSp-VAazzwE0alrW3KAQQHm8uQdCwG VL - 111 SN - 0003-987X ER -