Indian Journal of Leprosy

The terminology Cauliflower ear refers to the appearance of external ear, sequelae to underlying primary inflammation/infection. Trauma and secondary infection or perichondritis being the most common cause of cauliflower ear, this article describes a case of unilateral cauliflower ear due to multibacillary leprosy. This case shows the importance of skin smears and the histopathological identification and classification of leprosy patients with unusual lesions.

No abstract text is available yet for this article.

No abstract text is available yet for this article.

This study has been carried out to assess the comparative efficacy of Prednisolone alone or thalidomide alone for the first attack of T2R, and combination of prednisolone plus thalidomide or prednisolone plus clofazimine for chronic and recurrent T2R. Efficacy of all four regimens was assessed on the basis of clinical recovery of T2R measured by reaction severity scores (RSS) ,visual analogue scale (VAS) and other relevant parameters, requirement of extra dose of steroid for clinical recovery, recurrence of T2R and side effects observed in each regimen...

Early case detection and prompt treatment have been identified as key strategies for effective control and elimination of leprosy disease. Hence, control efforts should include among others treatment of the disease and disability prevention. This study is aimed at determining prevalence and pattern of disability among leprosy patients treated in a Leprosy Center in Abia State, Nigeria. Records of 287 leprosy patients treated in Uzoakoli Leprosy Center, Abia State between 2002 and 2006 were reviewed and analysed...

The rheumatological manifestations of leprosy occur singly or in varying combinations, particularly during lepra reactions. Despite being third most common, these remain under diagnosed and under reported. This study has been carried out to study the spectrum of rheumatological manifestations in leprosy patients. One hundred consecutive patients of leprosy presenting during January to December 2013 were studied for rheumatological manifestations. Complete hemogram, serum biochemistry, urinalysis, rheumatoid factor, ASO titer, C-reactive protein, ANA, and x-rays for hands, feet, chest and involved joints were performed...

Since time immemorial, stigma has been associated with leprosy mainly due to deformity and disability which in turn affects the physical, psychological, social and economical well being of some of the leprosy afflicted persons (LAPs). To prevent and correct deformities Government of India has focused on early diagnosis and appropriate treatment. In addition government has been providing services of Reconstructive Surgery (RCS). RCS corrects the deformity and is expected to help in reducing the stigma in society and reintegrate the affected persons in to society so that they become economically self reliant and carry out their normal livelihood activities without any prejudice...

Atypical manifestations are not rare in leprosy and they may present diagnostic challenges. We report a series of five cases having atypical presentations. First case presented with an asymptomatic buccal lesion and later developed skin lesions. Second patient had secondary Anti-phosphospholipidsyndrome (APS) due to leprosy. We also report another interesting case of annular vesiculobullous lesions and erythema nodosumleprosum (ENL) following intake of antibiotics for pneumonia. Other two had exacerbation reactions (ER)...

No abstract text is available yet for this article.

Leprosy has been increasingly known to have an enigmatic relationship with human immunodeficiency virus infection. Co-infection may result in atypical manifestations of leprosy. A 45-year old human immunodeficiency virus-positive male; agricultural laborer presented with a swelling over right elbow, right hand deformity, generalized itching and recurrent vesicles overthe perinasal area. Clinical and investigational findings were consistent with mononeuritic type of Hansen's disease with right sided silent ulnar nerve abscess, partial claw hand...

In 1998 a 57-year-old man having skin leisons of 6 months duration reported to Central Leprosy Teaching and Research Institute (CLTRI), Chengalpattu. It was diagnosed as a case of borderline lepromatous leprosy with a type 2 lepra reaction, was treated with multi bacillary-multi drug therapy (MBMDT) for a period of 12 months and the patient was released from treatment (RFT) in September 1999. For reactions the patient was treated with prednisolone for more than 10 months. After 14 years in April 2013 the same patient presented to CLTRI with complaints of weakness of both hands with loss of sensation for 4 months, so making a diagnosis suggestive of MB relapse with neuritis the patient was started with MB-MDT for period of 12 months with initial prednisolone 25 mg OD dose then increased to 40 mg for painful swollen leg and to follow the neuritis associated pain and swelling...

Dapsone, a potent anti-inflammatory compound, is mainly used in the treatment of leprosy, dermatitis herpetiformis, erythema elevatum diutinum and other dermatoses. Cutaneous adverse reactions range from acneiform eruptions to toxic epidermal necrolysis. A 30-year-old, married women who was treated with paucibacillary multi drug therapy, developed itchy skin lesions over the both forearms, 'V ' area of the neck and upper back after one week of the drug administration which worsened on exposure to sunlights...

Stigma, isoIation and discrimination are typically associated with diagnosis of leprosy and its disclosure. Health care providers (HCPs) find it challenging to disclose the diagnosis of leprosy to patients and their family members. A qualitative study was done in a rural community near Chennai in Tamil Nadu, from August 2011 to March 2012, covering 155 out of 648 (23.9%) purposively selected leprosy patients from 53 out of 148 panchayats, representing 264 villages in the study area; Out of these 155 patients, 59% were males; 30% were illiterates; 70% were married; 56% were living in nuclear families; half the leprosy patients were either agricultural labourers or skilled workers (50%)...

The study has been conducted in the Potka Block of East Singhbhum district of the state of Jharkhand. The district is mainly dominated by indigenous tribes, such as, Santhal, Munda, Ho, Bhumiz, Kharia, and Sabar. The unit of analysis of the study was an individual. The objectives were to: a) Understand the socio-economic and health status of LAP, b) Know the health seeking behavior and problems faced by the LAP, c) Assess the utilization of the programs related to Leprosy eradication in the study area and d), Suggest various measures for improving the socio-economic and health status of LAP...

Upgrading typel lepra reaction or reversal reaction (RR) is an acute inflammatory complication of leprosy and a disparity exists between clinicians and pathologists for diagnosing a RR. Inter-observer variations among pathologists also compound this problem as no universally agreed diagnostic criteria exist. 120 biopsies and H&E stained slides were assessed by 3 pathologists. The pathologists were blinded to the clinical diagnosis and to each other's observations. Each pathologist assigned a likelihood of reaction by their histopathological observations as definitely reaction, probable reaction and no reaction...

Leprosy is an infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae and Mycobacterium lepromatosis. In the last stage it can afflict the skeleton with a series of specific and non-specific bone changes. The possibility of studyingthe skeleton of an individual who lived in the pre-antibiotic era (Roman period) with skeletal changes in the rhino-maxillary region and hand and foot bones, permitted skeletal lesions to be analyzed directly. In addition, the localization and the complexity of the bony lesions could be attributed to the presence of leprosy...

A circumscribed sclerotic plaque of morphea can sometimes be mistaken for tuberculoid leprosy and vice versa can also happen. However, the co-existence of a patch of morphea mimicking as Leprosy patch in an underlying case of neuriticleprosy, can be very misleading. We present a case with glove and stocking anaesthesia and peripheral nerve enlargement with a single large hypopigmented, non-anaesthetic macule on trunk, clinically diagnosed as Hansen's disease (Borderline Tuberculoid - BT). Slit skin smears proved to be negative for AFB and histopathology of the skin lesion was consistent with morphea, which lead us to do a nerve biopsy...

Multi Drug Therapy (MDT) is the main weapon against leprosy since its inception in 1981. India achieved the level of elimination (< 1 case/10,000) on 31st December 2005. It has been proved in few studies that despite 2 years of regular therapy 10% of the patients continue to harbour viable persisters. There are many problems related with FD-MDT. Many cases have residual disease activity after completion of treatment. Aims of the present study was to study the profile of RFT cases in leprosy treated with FD-MDT, who required extended MDT, duration between completion of FD -MDT and clinical presentation, Acid Fast Bacilli (AFB) status, histopathology and type of leprosy at the time of presentation...

In recent years there have been considerable discussions on the current leprosy situation in India and the status of the country's attempts to eliminate or eradicate the disease. In this connection it is very important to analyze the background and various developments relevant to leprosy elimination in India.

The effects of corticosteroids in varying doses and duration for the treatment of reaction and nerve function impairment (NFI) in leprosy have been studied extensively. However, an optimal dose and duration of steroid when used as a prophylactic agent for NFI is yet to be established. This study was aimed to determine whether addition of low dose steroid for the initial 8 months of multi drug therapy (MDT) can prevent further deterioration of nerve function (DON) in multibacillary leprosy patients. Sixty multibacillary leprosy patients were randomized into two groups and B consisting of 30 patients each...