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Morphometric study of stratum corneum in leprosy
R P Okhandiar1, E Sinha, R K Sinha
1Skin and Leprosy Research Foundation, Kharman Chak, Bhagalpur, Bihar.
Indian Journal of Leprosy
|January 1, 1989
Summary
Leprosy causes abnormal skin barrier function, with increased skin cell turnover and thickness. These changes in the stratum corneum (SC) suggest heightened epidermal activity, leading to a defective skin barrier in leprosy patients.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Pathology
- Epidermal Biology
Background:
- Leprosy is associated with abnormalities in the stratum corneum (SC), including impaired hydration and increased turnover.
- Previous studies indicated functional deficits in the SC of leprosy lesions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To conduct morphometric studies of the SC in leprosy.
- To investigate epidermal thickening and cell ratios in leprosy skin tissues.
Main Methods:
- Measurement of SC thickening, mean epidermal thickness, and basal layer:granular layer cell ratio (B:G ratio) in H.E. stained tissues.
- Counting of SC cell-layers in freshly frozen tissues.
Main Results:
- Findings indicate an increase in epidermal proliferative activity.
- Morphometric analysis revealed significant alterations in SC structure and epidermal thickness.
- Increased B:G ratio suggests changes in epidermal cell differentiation.
Conclusions:
- Increased epidermal proliferative activity in leprosy may result in the formation of a defective SC.
- Morphometric abnormalities of the SC contribute to the compromised skin barrier function observed in leprosy.