we describe a rapid, simple, and reliable procedure for routine isolation of mycobacterium leprae dna from slit-skin swab specimens. this one-step dna extraction method is based on the utilization of chelexr 100, a chelating ion exchange resin. slit-skin swab specimens from seven untreated leprosy patients at baba baghi leprosy hospital in iran were processed by this procedure. the polymerase c...