Mast Cell Distribution and Its Correlation with Disease Severity in Leprosy: A Histopathological Study

Background: Mast cells play a crucial role in inflammatory dermatoses. This study investigates mast cell distribution and its correlation with disease severity in leprosy. Methods: A retrospective observational study analyzed 46 leprosy cases and 28 controls. Mast cell counting was performed using toluidine blue staining and high-power microscopy. Results: Leprosy cases showed varying mast cell distributions: lepromatous leprosy (12-54 cells/10 HPF), tuberculoid leprosy (20-53 cells/10 HPF), borderline tuberculoid leprosy (22- 42 cells/10 HPF), and indeterminate leprosy (15-89 cells/10 HPF). Mast cell counts correlated with disease severity. Discussion: This study highlights the importance of mast cells in leprosy pathogenesis and suggests their potential role in disease severity. Regional variations in mast cell distribution were observed. Conclusion: Mast cell distribution analysis may serve as a diagnostic tool in leprosy, emphasizing the need for integrated clinical and histopathological approaches.