| Laboratory: | Clinical Microbiology |
| Test Name: |
MYCOBACTERIA LEPRAE, SKIN SLITS
Test Code:
None
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| Clinical Information: |
Test Indications:
Skin smears are used as part of the management of a patient with Hansen's Disease (leprosy). Recommendations: The recommendations from the National Hansen's Disease Program to which the smears are referred recommend that initial skin smears be taken from 6 “routine sites” (both earlobes, elbows, and knees) and several typical lesions from the patient. In order to evaluate progress, repeat smears are obtained from 3 to 4 of the most active sites, based on the initial testing, annually or at another time period determined by the clinician. Patient Preparation Instructions: The procedure for obtaining skin-slits for smears is detailed at https://www.hrsa.gov/hansens-disease/diagnosis/skin-smears.html A chart for the documentation of the sites of the sample collection is available at https://www.hrsa.gov/sites/default/files/hansensdisease/pdfs/biopsychart.pdf |
| Collection Devices: |
Pre-cleaned slides (cleaned with 70% alcohol, acetone or alcohol-acetone)
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| Specimen Required: | Skin slit smears - Skin-slits, typically 6+ initially and 3 - 4 for follow-up |
| Referral: |
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| Requisition: | |
| Reference Values: |
The results are reported on a 0 (none found) to 6+ (very numerous) semi-logarithmic scale.
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| Availability: |
Weekdays
Weekdays (Monday - Friday). Samples to be sent to the National Hansen's Disease Program are to be referred to the Health Sciences Centre for shipment.
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| See Also: | |
| More Information: |
Specimen Handling:
Air-dried slides should be submitted to the lab in protective slide holders. Ensure samples that are being sent to a referral laboratory are packaged in accordance with Transport of Dangerous Goods recommendations for diagnostic samples. |