Leprosy and renal transplantation

Nine cases of leprosy in patients treated at a large renal transplant centre in South Asia are described. Three had leprosy diagnosed before transplantation and had either completed or were continuing chemotherapy at the time of transplantation. One showed exacerbation of undisclosed leprosy after transplantation. Five patients developed the disease for the first time 22 months to 12 years after transplantation. Immunosuppression did not adversely affect the treatment of leprosy in any of the patients though concurrent liver disease required cessation of rifampicin in one patient.