Comparison of leprosy and non-leprosy granulomas by using S100 protein

Abstract EN

Background : A definite diagnosis of tuberculoid and borderline tuberculoid leprosy is based on demonstration of either acid fast bacilli or nerve elements within the granulomas.

On routine hematoxylin and eosin stains, the nerve fibers are not easily identifiable.

In this study we used S100 protein to stain the nerve elements and compare their numbers in leprosy and non-leprosy granulomas.

Skin biopsy specimens from 20 cases of tuberculoid / borderline tuberculoid leprosy and 20 cases belonging to other granulomatous diseases of the skin were stained with S100 protein.

The number of nerve bundles stained with S100 protein were demonstrated and compared in all specimens.

From this study it was concluded that immunostaining with S100 protein facilitated detection of nerve elements in tuberculoid / borderline tuberculoid leprosy.

Also an increased number of nerve elements were found in leprosy granulomas when compared with non leprosy granulomas.