Spectrum of leprosy among suspected cases attending a teaching hospital in Western Rajasthan, India.

Demonstrating AFB is still considered as important tool for diagnosis, classification, and management of leprosy.[ 8 9 ] However, the sensitivity of slit skin smear is poor (10–50%).[ 10 ] A recent Indian study has showed overall smear positivity in 29.6% of leprosy cases with an increasing trend of smear positivity over the years.[ 11 ] Although AFB are better demonstrated in biopsies,[ 12 13 14 ] it is technically demanding, invasive, and has no definite role in the management of leprosy.

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Leprosy is a quiescent disease and hence there may be significant delay before the patient seeks treatment.

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