Synonyms:
a.k.a. Leprosy a.k.a. Hansen’s disease a.k.a. leprous polyneuritis
Diagnosis:
Clinical features of neuropathy plus evidence of Mycobacterium leprae infection
Clinical features:
Skin changes (hyperpigmentation, papule)
+loss of touch and pain (anesthesia)
Spared reflexes
Or multiple compression neuropathies (may mimic mononeuritis multiplex) in tuberculoid leprosy
Thickened nerves
Pathology, nerve biopsy:
Acid fast bacilli in perineurium
RPR: false positive
Treatment:
Dapsone, rifampin, clofazimine, thalidomide