Demonstration of T lymphocytes in leprous granuloma using the acid alpha naphtyl acetate esterase activity. An...

In nine leprosy patients (1 TT, 1 BT, 4 BL and 3 LLp), esterase positive lymphocytes (T Lymphocytes) were studied in frozen sections of skin biopsies by alpha naphtyl acetate esterase pH 5.8 method (ANAE) Four patients had never been treated previously and five patients exhibited clinical and bacteriological evidence of relapse for inadequate therapy at first biopsy. There was an increase in ANAE (+) lymphocyte density in granulomas when second biopsies were done after efficient treatment, evaluated by bacillary index for the eight bacilliferous patients, and clinical improvement. The significance of T cells in granulomas is discussed.