An assessment of the value of midfinger smears in multibacillary leprosy patients

摘要

In view of the different opinions on fingers as sites for persisting bacilli in multibacillary leprosy patients, it was decided to examine the midfingers for the presence of acid-fast bacilli(AFB)and establish its usefulness. Sixty-nine multi- bacillary leprosy patients,[lepromatous(LL)and borderline lepromatous(BL)] treated with multidrug therapy for fixed duration(2 years)were analysed. The bacillary load in the midfinger sites was lower when compared to that in the 'compulsory'(both earlobes)and 'optional'(four active lesions)sites.