Histoid leprosy--a histopathological reapparel

Twenty three clinically diagnosed histoid leprosy patients were subjected to histopathological and histochemical investigations. The histopathological features were comprise of a well-formed lesion surrounded by a pseudocapsule. In addition, a free, midly eosinophilic, uninvolved sub-epidermal zone, and variously arranged spindle-shaped histiocytes were noted in the lesion. Polygonal and foamy histiocytes were also sited in a few sections. The lesion also had a large number of solid staining acid-fast lepra bacilli. The latter might have stimulated a peculiar histiocytic tissue response almost identical to that seen in histiocytoma(cutis) but for the absence of haemosidrin and lipids.