title: Diagnostic value of in situ Polymerase Chain Reaction in leprosy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This prospective study was carried out to assess the diagnostic value of in situ Polymerase Chain Reaction in leprosy, particularly in enhancing the histopathological diagnosis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Clinical examination of 20 patients (< 16 yr) was done and skin smear for AFB was prepared. Biopsy of lesion site was taken for histopathological examination and in situ PCR testing.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The histopathological examination confirmed the clinical diagnosis in 45% cases only; non-specific histopathology was reported in the remaining 55% cases. In situ PCR showed a positivity of 57.1% in early/localized form of leprosy (IIBT) and 61.5% in (BB/BL) group. When compared to histopathology examination, a significant enhancement of 15% in diagnosis was seen. With in situ PCR, the diagnosis could be confirmed in 4/11 (36.3%) cases with non-specific histopathological features, (which is common in early disease) in addition to confirmation of 8/9 (88.8%) histopathologically-confirmed tissue sections. Histopathology and in situ PCR, combined together, confirmed the diagnosis in 13/20 cases (65% of total cases).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Thus, in situ PCR is an important diagnostic tool especially in early and doubtful cases of leprosy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, S.N. Medical College, Agra, India. r_dayal123@rediffmail.com
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Dayal
authors.forename: S P
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Singh
authors.forename: P P
authors.initials: PP
authors.lastname: Mathur
authors.forename: V M
authors.initials: VM
authors.lastname: Katoch
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Katoch
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Natrajan
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007918:Leprosy / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D009166:Mycobacterium leprae / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012867:Skin
chemical_list: D004269:DNA, Bacterial