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Bacillaemia and bone marrow involvement in leprosy.
1Department of Pathology, Medical College, Rohtak.
Indian Journal of Leprosy
|October 1, 1989
Summary
Detecting leprosy bacilli in peripheral blood and bone marrow aids diagnosis, especially in treated or paucibacillary leprosy patients with negative skin smears. These methods improve leprosy diagnosis in challenging cases.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Dermatology
Background:
- Leprosy diagnosis relies on identifying Mycobacterium leprae.
- Skin slit smears are a common diagnostic method.
- Limitations exist in detecting bacilli in certain patient groups.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the concentration and morphological index (MI) of lepra bacilli.
- To compare bacilli detection in skin, peripheral blood, and bone marrow.
- To evaluate diagnostic utility in difficult cases.
Main Methods:
- Studied 50 leprosy patients (24 new, 26 treated).
- Examined skin slit smears, peripheral blood buffy coat, and bone marrow smears.
- Assessed bacilli presence and morphological index (MI).
Main Results:
- Organisms detected in 28/50 (56%) on skin, 38/50 (76%) in bone marrow, and 38/50 (76%) in buffy coat.
- 15/22 (68%) with negative skin smears had bacilli in buffy coat or bone marrow.
- Bacilli in blood/marrow with negative skin smears seen in paucibacillary and treated patients.
Conclusions:
- Peripheral blood buffy coat and bone marrow examination are valuable for leprosy diagnosis.
- These methods are crucial for detecting bacilli in patients with negative skin smears.
- Recommended for establishing diagnosis in doubtful leprosy cases.