Leprosy mailing list – June 23rd,
2006
Ref.: Can
leprosy skin lesions heal and disappear, under treatment, in 3-6
months?
From:
Das P. K., Amsterdam, The
Netherlands
Ccn: all.
Dear Salvatore,
I consider the question put
forward by Dr. Jean Felly (LML June 22nd, 2006) is
interesting and need to be considered seriously, of course by the
clinicians around the globe. I
am not a clinician. Couple
of years ago in your column, I emphasised the need for immunostaining
(which can also be done on paraffin blocks with a standard procedure
and standard batch of monoclonal antibodies against PGL-1, and several
LAMS and also some antibodies to 30 KD region proteins. If positive with LAM and
PGL-1, one can say, the lesions are leprosy, not non-leprosy skin
lesions.
I think that in endemic
regions and in nearby labs, the stainings should be set up as an
integral part of leprosy control and follow up.
Sincerely Yours,
Pran
