02441nas a2200253   4500000000100000008004100001653001500042653001200057653001000069653002600079653001400105100001200119700001500131700001300146700001300159700001000172700001200182245011300194856007300307300001200380490000700392050001500399520177300414       2013                            d10aPediatrics10aleprosy10aIndia10aIn Situ Hybridization10adiagnosis1 aKamal R1 aNatrajan M1 aKafoch K1 aParvez M1 aNag V1 aDayal R00aEvaluation of the diagnostic value of immunocytochemistry and in situ hybridization in the pediatric leprosy  uhttp://www.ijl.org.in/2013/3%20Raj%20kamal%20et%20al%20(109-114).pdf  a109-1140 v85  aKAMAL 20133 aLeprosy is characterized by a long and variable incubation period and a chronic clinical course. Diagnosis of leprosy is essentially based on clinical features. Although the majority of cases can be diagnosed clinically yet alternative methods for diagnosis are required especially for early cases. Immunocytochemistry and in situ hybridization can be a valuable tool for diagnosis for early cases. The present study is aimed to assess the diagnostic value of immunocytochemistry and in situ hybridization in cytological specimens and to compare these techniques with Z.N. staining. This prospective study was carried out in 26 patients below 18 years of age of leprosy. Clinical examination of each patient was done and categorized according to IAL. After taking consent, three skin smears was taken, one for Z.N. staining and remaining two for immunocytochemistry and in situ hybridization respectively. Routine skin smear examination by Z.N. staining method confirmed the diagnosis in 4/26 (15.83%) and these belonged to BB, BL category. Immunocytochemistry showed positivity in 10/15 (66.6%) in BT and 72.7% in BB/BL leprosy. Immunocytochemistry improved the diagnosis by 53.85%, 
and the results were statistically significant (p<0.01). In situ hybridization showed the positive results in 80% cases of BT leprosy and 90.9% cases of BB/BL leprosy. In situ hybridization improved the diagnosis by 70% in comparison to ZN staining and the results were statistically significant (p<0.01). This study supports that immunocytochemistry and in situ hybridization enhance the diagnosis of leprosy when compared to routine skin smears stained by Z.N staining. They are important diagnostic tools for definitive diagnosis in early as well as established cases of leprosy.