Introduction: to study histopathological evaluation and its correlation with fluorescent staining used in the diagnosis of leprosy in tissue section and comparision of fluorescent staining with zn staining. Materials and Methods: 40 Skin biopsies cases from leprosy patients were received and processed as for routine histopathology. Sections of 5 microns were taken and routine H & E staining, ZN staining and fluorescent (auramine-rhodamine) staining is done. Various Stained sections were examined under light and fluorescent microscope there after result were ploted in tabulated form and various graphs. Results: Age group of 31–40 years were affected most with 13 cases (32.5%) Males were affected the most, with 23 cases (57%.5) and females being 17 cases (42.5%) with sex ratio is 1.35, that 80% of the patients belong to rural areas, Borderline Tuberculoid Leprosy was the most common histopathological diagnosis which constitutes 20 (50%) Positivity rate with fluorescent stain was 65%, whereas with Ziehl–Neelsen was 17.5%. Staining by fluorescent method detected an additional case which was missed by Ziehl–Neelsen that shows improvement in Positivity rate by 47.5% and hence sensitivity as evident by present study. Conclusion: Hitopathological correlation with fluorescent (auramine-rhodamine) staining is significant. Fluorescent microscopy has higher case detection rates when compared to ZN stain. It can be used as a supplementary tool when ZN staining method fail to detect the bacilli. The procedure is valuable in cases where negativity of sections is to be certified. Positivity rate with fluorescent stain was 65%, whereas with Ziehl–Neelsen was 17.5%. Staining by fluorescent method detected an additional case which was missed by Ziehl– Neelsen that shows improvement in Positivity rate by 47.5% and hence sensitivity as evident by present study. Comparision between ZN stain and fluorescent stain was found significant with p < 0.001 (calculated statistically by chi square test).

Keywords: Fluorescent stain (Auramine-Rhodamine); ZN stain; tissue section; Histopathological diagnosis.