Journal of the neurological sciences
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Evaluation of polymerase chain reaction in nerve biopsy specimens of patients with Hansen's disease.
Pure neuritic variety of leprosy (PNL) presents as peripheral neuropathy with absent skin lesions and negative skin smears. Diagnosing PNL is an uphill task as most of these patients have nonspecific changes on nerve biopsy. In such circumstances, additional molecular diagnostic tools like polymerase chain reaction (PCR) has proven to be useful in diagnosing leprosy. The present study was planned to evaluate the role of PCR in nerve biopsy specimens of patients with PNL. ⋯ PCR helps in diagnosing PNL in doubtful cases. A positive PCR increases the sensitivity of detection of M. leprae especially in cases of probable PNL group where AFB cannot be demonstrated on histopathology.