[Are there subpolar tuberculoid cases?]

Abstract

The idea of the existence of subpolar tuberculoid cases is supported on the spectral conception of Ridley and Jopling who included the subpolar lepromatous patients between LL and BL cases. According with Languillon, we have studied 40 tuberculoid cases to find out clinical, bacteriological, immunological and histopathological parameters of subpolar T cases. The subpolar T cases do exist, they are unstable cases which can slide through the immunological spectrum towards the L pole. These cases are characterized by numerous, symmetrical, dysesthetic tuberculoid lesions with an important neural involvement. Bacilli can be found in a small number in the smears of nasal mucosae in some cases. Mitsuda reaction is always positive and histopathologically the granulomas, lymphocytes and epithelioid cells are in less number without the epidermotropism which is very often seen in polar T cases.