Original Research Article
Year: 2017 | Month: April | Volume: 7 | Issue: 4 | Pages: 148-153
A Prospective Study of Clinico–Histopathological Correlation among Leprosy Patients Attending a Tertiary Referral Centre in Assam, in This Post Elimination Era
Dr. Debeeka Hazarika1, Dr Manoj Karbhari Pawar2, Dr. Ena Dowerah3
1Prof. Dermatology, 3Prof. Pathology,
Department of Dermatology & Venereology, Gauhati Medical College and Hospital, Guwahati,
Assam - 781032 India
2Asst. Prof. Dermatology, MVP’S D.V.P Medical College, Nashik, India.
Corresponding Author: Dr. Debeeka Hazarika
ABSTRACT
Background: Leprosy, also known as Hansen’s disease, is a chronic, infectious and treatable disease that primarily affects the skin and the peripheral nerves. Clinico-histopathological correlation of leprosy case assumes a pivotal role in early diagnosis and proper labeling of a case and thus leads to better management of patients.
Aim: To study the clinical and histopathological correlation among leprosy patients attending a tertiary referral centre in this post elimination era.
Materials & Methods: Study was conducted at a tertiary hospital during July, 2014 to June, 2015. Total 72 new cases of leprosy were selected purely on clinical ground (WHO criteria) attending dermatology OPD. Then these patients were subjected to slit skin smear examination and skin biopsy. Histopathological classifications of sections were done on the basis of the scheme put forth by Ridley (1974) and later it was correlated with the clinical classification across the Ridley-Jopling spectrum to evaluate the concordance among two.
Results: Both clinically and histopathologically, BT constituted the predominant group 52.80% and 41.66% respectively. The overall clinico-histopathological correlation was seen in 41 cases (56.94%). Maximal concordance was noted in indeterminate leprosy (100%), followed by polar forms of leprosy i.e. LL (80%) & TT (75%). The least concordance was seen in mid-borderline leprosy (16.66%).
Conclusion: This study highlights the importance of histopathological examination in assessing the leprosy cases as the under-treatment of MB cases will lead to persisters in the community and thus spread of disease and possible danger of drug resistance too in this era of elimination.
Key words: Leprosy, Clinico-histopathological correlation, Ridley-Jopling criterion.