Leprosy mailing
list – February 19th, 2005
Ccn:
all.
Ref.: slit-skin smear examination.
From: S Gokhale,
Hyderabad
,
India
.
Dear Dr Noto,
I agree with
this point (I refer to Dr G
Warren’s message: lml Feb. 11th, 2005). We too see
number of cases who cannot be diagnosed as leprosy based on WHO
criteria of skin patches. In many such cases, smear examination has
been diagnostic and has helped in early initiation of treatment.
If only naked
eye observation of skin could be reliable diagnostic criteria, the
laboratory services for not only leprosy but many other infectious and
non infectious diseases would never have developed. By refusing to
utilise the available diagnostic tests, we are going backwards, may be
to pre Hansen era.
Leprosy is a
disease of poor. That does not mean leprosy workers should have
poverty of ideas and facilities. Let's make best use of scientific
advances for early, correct diagnosis and proper treatment to prevent
disabilities.
S
Gokhale
Director
Blue Peter
Research Centre
