title: A bacteriological and histopathological study of apparently normal skin in lepromatous leprosy.
abstract: A comparative study of clinically affected and apparently uninvolved skin in lepromatous patients has been undertaken in 22 cases. Parameters studied include skin smears for bacillary Index; bacillary load/gm of tissue and histopathological comparison of granuloma fraction and biopsy index. The results showed that the clinically unaffected sites have a lower bacillary index and lesser bacterial load. Histologically the granulomas were smaller and biopsy index was lower in uninvolved areas. The possible reasons for this comparative less involvement are discussed.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001419:Bacteria / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D001706:Biopsy; D006801:Humans; D007918:Leprosy / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000473:pathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D012867:Skin / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000473:pathology