A bacteriological and histopathological study of apparently normal skin in lepromatous leprosy.

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.