Study of apparently uninvolved skin in leprosy as regards bacillary population at various sites

Slit smears form 16 LL and 4 BL patients were taken from scalp, axilla, inguinal regions and apparently involved skin patch. The bacilli were found in 100% LL and 75% BL patients at all sites. Scalp showed AFB in all LL and 3 out of 4 BL cases. No lesions were seen on the scalp. Bacterial morphology showed no uniform pattern. Contrary to belief, no immune zones were found on the skin as judged by results of bacteriological examination. Our studies do not support the view that the leprosy bacillus has a predilection for sites with relatively low temperature as far as human leprosy is concerned.