PCR in leprosy

Abstract

Detection of M. leprae DNA using PCR is very sensitive enough to detect very few number of bacilli which are not recognized by acid-fast staining method. Because the detection of M. leprae is crucial for the diagnosis of leprosy, PCR method has been expected to make a diagnosis easy and precise. A new pair of PCR primers for M. lepare was selected in the Department of Dermatology, Yokohama City University School of Medicine, and many samples obtained from many institutes have been examined in the department. In this paper, the PCR method in leprosy is discussed, and the results of examination of 59 cases carried out in the department from 1994 until 2000 are demonstrated.