EVALUATION OF HISTOPATHOLOGICAL EXAMINATION OF SKIN BIOPSY IN DIAGNOSIS OF LEPROSY WITH CLINICAL CORRELATION

Background: Leprosy is a chronic granulomatous infection caused by M. leprae (also known as Hansen disease) predominantly affects the skin and peripheral nerves. It is difcult to diagnose leprosy clinically due to its clinical diversity and ability to mimic other skin diseases. Histopathological examination of skin biopsies plays an important role in early diagnosis, categorization, and treatment to prevent permanent nerve damage. It has different types of histopathological types depending on the immunity of the patient. The present study was done to analyze the importance of histopathological examination in leprosy cases as an important diagnostic tool. To evaluate histopathological Objectives: examination of skin biopsy in diagnosis of leprosy, categorization and clinicopathological correlation. A descriptive Materials And Methods: observational study of total 150 cases diagnosed as leprosy was conducted for duration of 3 years from September 2021 to August 2023 at Shri M.P.Shah Gov. Medical college, Jamnagar. Skin biopsies were received, processed and stained by H & E stain to classify histopathological types of leprosy. Fite-faraco stain was done to demonstrate lepra bacilli for bacillary Index. A total 88 cases were studied of which male and female Result: were 59(67%) and 29(33%) respectively. Maximum cases were from 31-40 years age group (22.8%). Borderline Lepromatous Leprosy (BL) was diagnosed in maximum 29 cases(33%). 100% agreement was seen in Tuberculoid leprosy (TT), Midborderline leprosy (BB) and Histoid leprosy (HL) cases followed by Lepromatous Leprosy (LL) (81.8%), Borderline Lepromatous Leprosy (BL) (69%), Borderline Tuberculoid leprosy (BT) (45%) and Indeterminate Leprosy (IL) (23.5%). Histopathological examination of skin lesions i Conclusion: s a crucial method that is highly recommended in all cases of leprosy for diagnostic accuracy and clinicopathological correlation, which lead to better prognosis and early proper treatment of the patient.