A study of scrotal biopsy in subsided cases of lepromatous leprosy

Scrotal biopsies were obtained from 38 cases of lepromatous leprosy who were clinically subsided and had negative skin smears. Twenty six (68.4%) of these cases revealed bacilli in the dartos muscle. None except one showed a specific lesion in the dartos. Bacilli obtained from 2 out of 7 cases multiplied in the mouse foot-pad. Bacilli were found to be persisting in the dartos muscle despite prolonged treatment before as well as after clinical subsidence of the disease. The persisting bacilli in this situation could be a cause of relapses.