The Mitsuda test is a skin test based on the individual’s immune response through
late and highly specific hypersensitivity reaction to the Mycobacterium
leprae bacillus. A negative reaction identifies individuals who
present a higher risk of becoming ill if exposed to M. leprae
and, if they become ill, to develop the virchowian form of disease. The Mitsuda
test reading is performed by means of a millimeter ruler. The dermatoscopy is a
method that has not been used in the evaluation of cutaneous tests, although its
use has increased in several areas. The study aimed to compare the results
between the standardized reading and the total area of the Mitsuda test obtained
by a computerized method which was structured by the association of digital
dermatoscopy, the Dermatology Web system and the Image Tool 3.0 software. Data
collection was performed at the Dermatology Outpatient Clinic of the Eduardo de
Menezes Hospital, in Belo Horizonte, from November 2015 to August 2016. The
sample consisted of 100 leprosy domiciliary contacts. There was an excellent
agreement between the Mitsuda test (diameter and area), with a coefficient
greater than 80%, and an excellent correlation with the Spearman’s correlation
coefficient (0.936). The intraclass correlation coefficient indicated a low
(0.219) but significant agreement between the two measurements. In conclusion,
there is a significant correlation between the standardized reading and the
total area of the Mitsuda test. Digital dermoscopy can be an alternative
instrument of evaluation, allowing the computerization and recording of the
Mitsuda test.
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