De-novo histoid hansen cases.

Area of Science:

• Dermatology
• Infectious Diseases
• Microbiology

Background:

• Histoid leprosy is a rare variant of lepromatous leprosy, characterized by distinct clinical and histopathological features.
• It typically presents as a relapse after dapsone monotherapy or in cases of dapsone resistance.
• The 'de-novo' occurrence, without prior leprosy history or treatment, is uncommon.

Observation:

• Three cases of 'de-novo' Histoid Hansen's disease were observed within a three-month period (February-April 2013).
• These cases occurred in the post-global leprosy elimination era.
• All patients presented with a high bacterial index and no history of leprosy or exposure to dapsone/multi-drug therapy.

Findings:

• The emergence of 'de-novo' Histoid leprosy cases highlights potential diagnostic challenges.
• A high bacterial index in these cases indicates significant infectivity.
• These findings underscore the need for heightened awareness even in leprosy-eliminated regions.

Implications:

• Increased awareness among clinicians is essential to avoid misdiagnosis of Histoid leprosy.
• Prompt diagnosis and treatment are critical to prevent the spread of infection.
• Timely intervention can mitigate the risk of complications and deformities associated with leprosy.