Evaluation of Mast Cell Profile in the Skin Lesions of Leprosy

ABSTRACT

Background: Aim of the present study was to evaluate the role of Mast cells in the Histo-Pathogenesis of Leprosy by assessing incidence of various Histo-Pathological types of Leprosy, Correlating of Mast cell profile (Mast cell Density & Morphology) in different Histological types of Leprosy lesions, by correlating with Reactional & Non-Reactional groups of Leprosy cases and by correlation of Mast cell profile in doubtful cases as in Indeterminate type. Lepromatous Leprosy was observed in higher age group as compared to Tuberculoid leprosy. Mast Cell Density was found increasing from Polar Tuberculoid to Polar Lepromatous spectrum of disease. In every type of Leprosy, mast Cell Density was reduced significantly in the Reactional Group as compared to Non-Reactional Group. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the role of Mast cells in the Histo-Pathogenesis of Leprosy by assessing incidence of various Histo-Pathological types of Leprosy. Methods: A cross sectional, observational study was conducted among 200.Correlation of mast cell profile (Mast cell Density & Morphology) in different Histological types of Leprosy lesions was done, by correlating with Reactional & Non-Reactional groups of Leprosy cases and by correlation of Mast cell profile in doubtful cases as in Indeterminate type. Lepromatous Leprosy was observed in higher age group as compared to Tuberculoid leprosy. Results: Mast Cell Density was found Increasing from Polar Tuberculoid to Polar Lepromatous spectrum of disease. In every type of Leprosy, mast Cell Density was reduced significantly in the Reactional Group as compared to Non-Reactional Group. Conclusion: Larger such studies of Leprosy employing special staining methods viz. pH dependent Toluidine Blue staining, studies employing Immuno-Fluorescence on Tissue biopsy specimens, as well as studies on experimental animals, to help us achieve a better understanding of the pathogenesis, outcome and prognosis of Leprosy.