Immunohistochemistry

Compared with immunofluorescence, IHC provides better morphological evaluation without fluorescence decay or specialised optical systems. IHC may outperform direct bacilloscopy because it can detect antigens even when bacilli are no longer viable. The diagnostic accuracy of IHC for leprosy has not yet been systematically synthesised. The first published immunohistochemistry study appeared in 1941, and the first report of IHC detecting M. leprae in tissue was published in 1983. Immunohistochemistry detects Mycobacterium leprae antigens directly in tissue samples using monoclonal or polyclonal antibodies. IHC antibodies with apparently specific reactivity to Mycobacterium leprae target PGL-1 and lipoarabinomannan.