[Staining of Mycobacterium leprae: comparison between the Lapeyssonnie and Causse technic on the one hand and Thelep’s technic on the other in the evaluation of the bacteriological index]

In the present review, two staining techniques have been compared to evaluate bacteriological index: the Lapeyssonnie and Causse’s technique, used in french speaking Africa, and the one recommended by the O.M.S. scientific panel on chemotherapy of leprosy, Thelep. It appears that the former facilitates the finding of a greater number of bacilli. More efficient, it is also easier and faster than the latter one and, consequently, more adapted to logistic constraints attached to the fight against endemic leprosy in Africa.