Indeterminate leprosy: a clinical and histopathological evaluation

27 histologically confirmed indeterminate leprosy cases were evaluated clinically and histopathologically at the SLR & TC, Karigiri, South India in 1985. The main clinical finding was a single or multiple (up to 3) patches. This was found in 25 (92%) of 27 cases. 2 cases only showed an area of anaesthesia without any skin lesion. Loss of sensation was present in 22 cases (81%). Histologically all cases (100%) showed lymphohistiocytic infiltration around the dermal structures and around/in the dermal nerves. AF bacilli were found in 17 cases (63%). They were detected most commonly in cellular infiltrate in the dermis (7 cases, 26%) and secondly in the dermal nerves (5 cases, 14%). Careful search and deeper sections increased the chance of detecting bacilli. Criteria for histological diagnosis were also discussed.