Abstract: Shi Wei, Chen Mingliang, Li Fangfang, Lu Lixia, Li Ji, Xie Hongfu Department of Dermatology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, China Corresponding author: Shi Wei, Email: 1147840445@qq.com 【Abstract】 Objective To evaluate the diagnostic value of Fite staining in leprosy histopathology. Methods Between 2013 and 2017, 13 patients diagnosed with leprosy or suspected leprosy（high suspicion of leprosy based on clinical manifestations and hematoxylin-eosin staining, but negative acid-fast staining） in our department, were enrolled into this study. The histopathological sections were subjected to Fite staining, and the results were compared with those of acid-fast staining, so as to assess the value of Fite staining in the diagnosis of leprosy. Results Six patients with positive acid-fast staining still showed positive Fite staining. Among 7 patients with suspected leprosy and negative acid-fast staining, 6 patients showed positive Fite staining with varying numbers of Mycobacterium leprae, and 1 showed negative Fite staining. Conclusion Fite staining can increase the detection rate of Mycobacterium leprae.

Key words: Leprosy, Histocytochemistry, Ziehl-Neelsen staining, Fite staining