OBJECTIVE: 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.
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 and in 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. 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).
CONCLUSION: Thus, in situ PCR is an important diagnostic tool especially in early and doubtful cases of leprosy.
BT - Indian journal of pediatrics C1 - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16388154?dopt=Abstract CN - DAYAL2005 DA - 2005 Dec DO - 10.1007/bf02724408 IS - 12 J2 - Indian J Pediatr LA - eng N2 -OBJECTIVE: 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.
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 and in 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. 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).
CONCLUSION: Thus, in situ PCR is an important diagnostic tool especially in early and doubtful cases of leprosy.
PY - 2005 SP - 1043 EP - 6 T2 - Indian journal of pediatrics TI - Diagnostic value of in situ Polymerase Chain Reaction in leprosy. VL - 72 SN - 0973-7693 ER -