De-novo histoid hansen cases

Histoid leprosy is a rare form of multibacillary leprosy with distinct clinical and histopathological features. It is a variant of lepromatous leprosy with a very high bacterial index. It appears in patients as a relapse after dapsone monotherapy, in the presence of dapsone resistance or rarely 'de-novo'. It is a matter of concern as we found three cases of de-novo Histoid that too in 3 months from February 2013 to April 2013; in post-global leprosy elimination era. We report three cases presenting with 'de-novo' Histoid Hansen's disease, with no history of leprosy or exposure to dapsone/multi-drug therapy, with heavy bacillary index. The above cases proved to be an eye opener to us in more than one senses. We are reporting these cases just to create awareness and avoid misdiagnosis which will help in prompt treatment and avoid its spread as well as avoid complications and deformities associated with it.