Pruritus in BL, LL and smear positive relapse leprosy lesions

Leprosy Mailing List, April 25^th, 2009

Ref.:    Pruritus in BL, LL and smear positive relapse leprosy lesions

From:  Pai V. V., Mumbai, India

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Dear Dr Noto,

 

We have observed in some of the new smear positive borderline lepromatous, lepromatous cases and as well as those with smear positive relapse of the disease who reported to the Bombay Leprosy Project Referral centre, itching in the lesions (infiltration, plaques) as a main reporting complaint by the patient which made them report to the clinic.  On careful cutaneous examination and bacteriological examination smears from the lesions were reported to be positive.

 

We found pruritus as a symptom in such lesions can be misleading in treating other dermatological disorders and therefore can be thought of suspecting multibacillary smear positive leprosy.  This is just our observation.  We would like to know from leprosy mailing list readers about such  experience by others if any.

 

Dr V V Pai

Bombay Leprosy Project