Pathological diagnosis of leprosy in developing countries

Abstract

In the developing countries where leprosy is prevalent, diagnosis of leprosy is made from clinical signs and symptoms. However, when difficult and doubtful cases increase after the advance of leprosy control programs, definitive diagnosis of leprosy by histopathology become necessary. This report describes our experience of technical support to re-establish histopathology service and introduction of immunohistochemistry in the leprosy referral center of Myanmar, and we discuss the ideal way of international technical support. This activity was performed as a part of leprosy control and basic health services project of Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) since 2000 to 2005.