Laboratory tests in leprosy in Japan

Leprosy Mailing List –  March 12^th, 2011

Ref:    Laboratory tests in leprosy in Japan

From: Ishii N, Tokyo, Japan

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Dear Dr Noto;

I refer to Dr Gilead’s message dated LML March 8^th, 2011.  In Japan , we do not use Lepromin reagent.  We do not produce it.  We use slit-skin smear examination, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and sometimes serum anti-PGL-1 Ab test.

We have only few new leprosy patients (2009: 2 foreigners,  2010: 4 foreigners).  Laboratory test is covered at Leprosy Research Center NIID, Tokyo .

Best Regards,

Norihisa ISHII　MD, PhD
Director-General, Leprosy Research Center,
National Institute of Infectious Diseases (NIID)
4-2-1 Aobacho, Higashimurayama,

Tokyo 189-0002 JAPAN