Specimen Collection
Mycobacterium leprae PCR
Skin/punch biopsy in saline is the preferred specimen type.
Skin biopsy
Histological examination can be performed on skin biopsies of representative lesions. The presence of acid-fast bacilli is supportive of a diagnosis of leprosy.
Please see:
Anatomical Pathology
Slit skin smears
This procedure is no longer carried out at LabPLUS.
Contact Information
For further information, contact the Microbiology Department via Lablink or the Clinical Microbiologist:
Lablink contact details
Dr Sally Roberts
, Microbiologist:
ext 22705
Cellphone
021 674 140
Dr Sharmini Muttaiyah
, Microbiologist:
ext 22700
Cellphone
021 615 892
Dr Mary de Almeida
, Microbiologist:
ext 22700
Cellphone
021 170 9117
Dr Matthew Blakiston
, Microbiologist: contact via Lablink