In the realm of pediatric leprosy diagnosis, detecting acid-fast bacilli (AFB) in standard skin smears poses a significant challenge, especially in early cases. To bridge this diagnostic gap, our institute conducted a study on 25 leprosy cases under 16 years, employing in situ polymerase chain reaction (PCR) on slit-skin smears. The majority of patients (76%) were aged 9-16, with 64% having a familial history of leprosy. Traditional AFB staining yielded positive results in only 20% of cases, while in situ PCR exhibited superior diagnostic capabilities, confirming the diagnosis in 72% of cases. Notably, among initially negative cases, 13 were positively identified through in situ PCR, demonstrating its promising utility in challenging scenarios. The study emphasizes the diagnostic value of in situ PCR on slit-skin smears, particularly when traditional methods falter, aligning with the expertise of Hypro Diagnostics.
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