Detection of Mycobacterium leprae in Formalin-Fixed Paraffin-Embedded Sample by Fite-Faraco Staining and Polymerase Chain Reaction

Leprosy is a chronic infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae. The identification of mycobacteria in tissue sections can be made through a microscopic examination with fite-faraco staining or PCR method. Paraffin blocks from four patients with leprosy were retrieved from The Pathologic Department of Dr.Soetomo Hospital, Surabaya. Two cases were from paucibacillary leprosy patients with no mycobacteria stained by fite-faraco. PCR assay showed a negative result. The other two cases were multibacillary leprosy with many bacteria stained by fite-faraco. PCR assay showed a positive result.