TY - JOUR
KW - Pediatrics
KW - leprosy
KW - India
KW - In Situ Hybridization
KW - diagnosis
AU - Kamal R
AU - Natrajan M
AU - Kafoch K
AU - Parvez M
AU - Nag V
AU - Dayal R
AB - Leprosy 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.
BT - Indian journal of leprosy
C1 - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24724232
CN - KAMAL 2013
J2 - Indian J Lepr
LA - eng
N2 - Leprosy 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.
PY - 2013
SP - 109
EP - 114
T2 - Indian journal of leprosy
TI - Evaluation of the diagnostic value of immunocytochemistry and in situ hybridization in the pediatric leprosy
UR - http://www.ijl.org.in/2013/3%20Raj%20kamal%20et%20al%20(109-114).pdf
VL - 85
ER -