Correlation between clinical and histopathologic classification in leprosy.

A detailed histopathologic study, utilizing hematoxylin and eosin stain, was done in 95 fresh uncomplicated cases of leprosy. The microscopic features were classified according to Ridley's (1974) definition, while the clinical grouping was done using the criteria of Ridley and Jopling (1962). The disparity between them on comparison was explicit. In one third of the cases the two were in consonance with each other. In many there was a shift of one step either towards the tuberculoid or lepromatous end of the spectrum. The remaining were classified as indeterminate because of early histopathologic changes. This disparity was expected because the parameters used for the histopathologic classification were precise and also took into account the immunologic aspect. The histologic definitions seem practical and may prove useful in assessment of the status of the disease with or without treatment.