01811nas a2200241   4500000000100000008004100001653001200042653001000054653002000064653001300084100001200097700001200109700001400121700001300135700001200148700001400160245010300174856010700277300001000384490000600394050001500400520115400415       2014                            d10aleprosy10aIndia10aImmune response10aCytokine1 aKamra H1 aMunde S1 aGangane N1 aSharma S1 aGulia A1 aAgarwal R00aSignificance of mast cell density and distribution in various histopathological lesions of leprosy  uhttp://www.jkimsu.com/jkimsu-vol3no1/JKIMSU.%20Vol.%203,%20No.%201,%20Jan-June%202014,Page%2057-63.pdf  a57-630 v3  aKAMRA 20143 aBackground:
Leprosy also known as Hansen’ s disease (HD), is a chronic infection caused by the Myco-bacterium leprae. Mast cells in leprosy have been investigated in the recent past and are being examined as a basis for future studies.
Materials and Methods:
119 leprosy cases and 14 control biopsies stained with toluidine blue were assessed for density and distribution of mast cells. 38 cases had undergone treatment.
Results: 
Significantly higher mast cell count was obtained in the skin lesions of borderline lepromatous leprosy.  On comparison with controls lower counts were observed in polar tuberculoid and indeterminate leprosy whereas higher values were observed in all other groups. The mast cell count in leprosy is probably determined by the pattern of cytokines released by the T lymphocytes. Mast cell density assessed after treatment was reduced in borderline tuberculoid and borderline lepromatous cases however in indeterminate group, the counts were increased.
Conclusion: 
The distribution of mast cells in leprosy is a variable feature and there is no constant site or predilection for a particular type of leprosy.