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
Urgent enquiries
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In normal working hours (08:00-16:00 Mon-Fri) contact Clinical Virology via LabLINK (internal extension 22000, external number 09 307 8995).
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Outside of normal working hours (evenings and weekends) contact the On Call Clinical Microbiologist via Te Whatu Ora Te Toka Tumai Auckland main switchboard (09 367 0000).
Non-urgent enquiries