02436nas a2200217   4500000000100000008004100001653001200042653001900054653002300073653002600096653002100122653002500143100001400168700001600182700001400198700001200212245011000224856008300334300000800417520179300425       2024                            d10aLeprosy10aHistopathology10aClinical diagnosis10aBacteriological index10aConcordance rate10aMycobacterium leprae1 aSunitha A1 aDeshpande N1 a Ramya  C1 aAdiba A00aA  Clinico‐Pathological  Study  and  Bacteriological Study of Leprosy Cases in a Tertiary Care Hospital  uhttps://makhillpublications.co/files/published-files/mak-rjms/2024/105-110.pdf  a1-63 a<p>Leprosy is a chronic infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae, affecting the skin,&nbsp; peripheral nerves, and mucosal surfaces.&nbsp; Accurate diagnosis and classification of leprosy are crucial for effective management and prevention of transmission. This study aims to evaluate the correlation between clinical and histopathological findings in leprosy cases at a tertiary care hospital. A total of 53 leprosy cases were analyzed for clinical presentation and histopathological findings.&nbsp; The bacteriological index was assessed and the concordance between clinical and histopathological diagnoses was calculated. Acid‐fast bacilli&nbsp; (AFB) positivity and the bacteriological index were used to evaluate bacterial load in different leprosy types. The overall concordance rate between clinical and histopathological diagnoses was 66%. Tuberculoid leprosy (TT) showed a 100% concordance rate, while borderline tuberculoid (BT) had an 81.8% concordance. Borderline lepromatous&nbsp; (BL) and lepromatous leprosy&nbsp; (LL)&nbsp; had concordance rates of&nbsp; 80%&nbsp; and&nbsp; 55.6%,&nbsp; respectively. Indeterminate leprosy&nbsp; (IL) also had a concordance rate of 55.6%. The bacteriological index varied, with LL showing the highest bacterial load. AFB positivity was observed in 54.7% of cases, with lepromatous forms showing the highest rates. Histopathological confirmation is essential for accurately diagnosing leprosy,&nbsp; particularly in cases with ambiguous clinical features. While concordance is generally high for tuberculoid and lepromatous forms,&nbsp; intermediate and indeterminate forms present diagnostic challenges.&nbsp; These findings underscore the need for comprehensive diagnostic strategies to improve leprosy management.&nbsp;</p>