Editorial

Leprosy Is (Still) Here, but Recognition Is Often Delayed

Authors: David M. Scollard, MD, PhD

Abstract

The non-“textbook” clinical presentation of leprosy is more common today, as illustrated by the cases reported by Abide et al1 in this issue of the Journal. Patients seldom attempt to conceal this illness today, because effective treatment is now available. As a result, patients frequently present with early lesions—small macules or papules that may easily be mistaken for other more common diseases. One of the lessons from these cases is that even when patients have relatively innocuous-appearing lesions, leprosy should be considered in the differential diagnosis if they are nonresponsive to the initial treatment.

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References

1. Abide JM, Webb R, Jones HL, et al. Three indigenous cases of leprosy in the Mississippi Delta. South Med J 2008;101:635–638.