Role of modified rapid AFB method in histopathological sections of Hansen's disease

Leprosy is a chronic debilitating disease. A reliable diagnosis hinges around a good histopathological diagnosis and demonstration of the bacilli in the histopathological section. The usual method performed Modified Fite Faraco Method is time consuming, laborious and less sensitive. It has been our endeavor to devise a more rapid and sensitive method for the diagnosis and bacillary load detection in histopathological sections. The Modified Rapid AFB devised by us is sensitive and time saving which is essential for the pathologist and for the treatment by the Dermatologist. We have studied about 53 cases of different types of Hansen's disease and compared with both Modified Fite Faraco method and Modified Rapid AFB method. The results were found to be very encouraging with the Modified Rapid AFB method.