Detection of Mycobacterium leprae in nerve lesions by the polymerase chain reaction.

A simple procedure is described for the detection of Mycobacterium leprae by the polymerase chain reaction in nerve biopsies sectioned with a cryostat and then treated with proteinase K. All samples from lepromatous leprosy patients and the majority of samples from paucibacillary cases yielded positive results. This approach may be useful for differentiating between leprosy and other inflammatory neuropathies.