Neuritic Leprosy Research Articles

Diagnostic Enigma in a rare Case of Primary Neuritic Leprosy

Leprosy is one of the most prevalent diseases affecting peripheral nerves. Pure neuritic leprosy accounts for 4-10% of all leprosy cases, with clinical symptoms restricted to the peripheral nerves and no skin abnormalities. Leprosy is diagnosed based on the skin and nerves' typical clinical and histological involvement.The absence of typical dermatological characteristics significantly reduces clinical diagnosis accuracy, necessitating histological confirmation. We presented the case of a 26-year-old male with an 8-year history of growing numbness in his right leg, recurrent ulcers in his right foot, and hand abnormalities. The patient was subsequently identified with pure neural leprosy (PNL), a kind of leprosy that affects peripheral nerves but lacks conventional skin lesions. As a result, in leprosy-endemic countries such as Bangladesh, this kind of leprosy should be extensively explored, especially in patients with no skin abnormalities. Bangladesh J Medicine 2024; 35: 214-217

Diagnostic Utility of Multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction in Patients of Clinically Suspected Pure Neuritic Leprosy by Identifying Mycobacterium leprae in Skin Biopsy Samples and Nasal Swabs.

Pure neuritic leprosy (PNL) often remains underdiagnosed due to the lack of simple, reliable diagnostic tools to detect Mycobacterium leprae. This study aimed to investigate the utility of multiplex polymerase chain reaction (MPCR) in easily accessible and less invasive biopsy sites, including skin biopsy samples and nasal swabs (NSs), to detect M. leprae. A total of 30 (N = 30) clinically suspected and untreated patients with PNL were recruited. Nasal swabs and skin biopsy samples from the innervation territory of an "enlarged nerve" were collected. DNA was extracted and subjected to MPCR (targeting leprae-specific repetitive element [RLEP], 16S rRNA, and SodA genes) and RLEP-PCR (individual gene PCR). The PCR products were analyzed by 3% agarose gel electrophoresis. In 30 patients with clinically suspected PNL, 60% (N = 18) of skin biopsy samples and 53% (N = 16) of NSs were found positive for M. leprae DNA by MPCR, whereas only 23.3% (N = 7) of skin biopsy samples and 10% (N = 3) of NSs were found positive by RLEP-PCR. MPCR demonstrated a greater positivity rate than did RLEP-PCR for detection of M. leprae. Serologic positivity for anti-natural disaccharide-octyl conjugated with bovine serum albumin (ND-O-BSA) antibodies was 80% (16/20), including 35% (7/20) of PNL patients for which the skin MPCR was negative. Both serologic positivity and skin MPCR positivity were observed in 65% of patients (N = 20). Multiplex polymerase chain reaction is a useful tool for detection for M. leprae in skin biopsy samples and NSs in clinically suspected cases of PNL, with the added advantages of being less invasive and technically easier than nerve biopsy.

Role of S-100 immunocytochemistry in diagnosis of pure neuritic leprosy on fine needle aspiration cytology – A series of two interesting cases presented as nerve abscess

Pure neuritic leprosy (PNL) constitutes to 4.2 % of all leprosy cases in India. Histopathology is crucial for the diagnosis of PNL ,but fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) is now replacing it, as nerve biopsy is a cumbersome procedure and can lead to neurological deficits. FNAC, a minimally invasive procedure can play a significant role in primary diagnosis of PNL. Apart from the cytomorphological features , using ancillary tests can further improve the diagnostic accuracy of PNL. We present here two cases, who presented with a soft tissue swelling. FNAC attempted from the lesions yielded a necrotic material which on microscopy showed abundant caseous necrosis with epithelioid cell granulomas and there were also few spindle shaped cells of neural morphology seen in clusters as well as scattered in the necrotic background. S-100 immunostaing was attempted which highlighted the neuronal cells confirming the diagnosis of PNL.

From periphery to center, untold story of pure neuritic leprosy: an electrophysiological study.

Pure neuritic leprosy (PNL) is uncommon form of leprosy involving peripheral nerves. Some isolated case reports have shown imaging changes in the central nervous system (CNS) and also impairment in visual evoked potential (VEP), somatosensory evoked potential (SSEP) and brain stem auditory-evoked potentials (BAEPs) parameters in PNL, but there is lack of large study. This prospective observational study evaluates impairment in these central conduction studies among PNL patients. We screened patients with leprosy presenting with features of neuropathy and/or thickened nerves. Patients with bacilli-positive nerve biopsies were included in the study and subjected to routine tests along with nerve conduction study (NCS), VEP, tibial SSEP and BAEPs. Parameters of these studies were analyzed based on data from previous studies. Of 76 patients screened for PNL 49 had positive findings in biopsy. Most of patients were male and mean age group was 46.35 ± 15.35years. Mononeuritis multiplex was most common NCS pattern in 46.93% (23/49) patients. We found abnormal VEP in 13 out of 35 patients (37.14%). Similarly abnormal SSEP and BAEPs among 42.85% and 40% patients respectively. This study shows that in PNL significant number of patients have subclinical CNS involvement. Exact pathophysiology of CNS involvement is not known till now but study of VEP, SSEP and BAEPs parameter may help in early diagnosis of PNL.

Clinicoepidemiologic profile of leprosy in geriatric population in post-elimination era: A retrospective, hospital-based, cross-sectional study from Eastern India.

Geriatric populations are susceptible to leprosy infection with masked clinical signs due to lower immunity in them. Our aim was to analyze the clinicoepidemiologic profile of patients with geriatric leprosy and find out the reasons for delayed diagnosis and treatment. A retrospective, record-based study was conducted in a tertiary care center from May 2019 to May 2022. The clinicodemographic data of biopsy-confirmed leprosy cases aged ≥60 years were obtained from the leprosy clinic record. Various reasons for the delay in treatment were also recorded. Simple statistics was used for analysis. Out of 605 leprosy cases, 50 (7.4%) cases belonged to the geriatric population. Males outnumbered females (M/F = 37/13). The mean age of the patients was 66.28 + 6.5 years. Maximum patients belonged to 60-69 years of age. The mean duration of illness was 35.22 months (range 1-240 months). Most of the patients were illiterate (33.6%), and 56% were farmers by occupation. The ulnar nerve was the most common nerve to be thickened in 90% (45/50) cases, followed by the common peroneal nerve in 54% (27/50) cases, radical cutaneous nerve in 52% (26/50) cases, and posterior tibial nerve in 24% (12/50) cases. Borderline tuberculoid was the most common type in 44% cases, followed by lepromatous leprosy in 22%, borderline lepromatous leprosy in 18% (9/50), and pure neuritic leprosy in 14%. Type 1 and type 2 lepra reactions were found in 18% and 14% cases, respectively. Also, 38% had grade 2 disability. Common reasons for the delay in treatment were financial constraints, lack of family support, and personal superstitious beliefs. The study was limited by its retrospective nature. Geriatric leprosy needs special attention as the elderly are more prone for deformities; also, because of low immunity, there is a high chance of developing multibacillary leprosy, and therefore, they are potential sources of infection to the community.

Hansen’s Disease with Pure Nerve Involvement and Perineural Abscess Mistaken for Peripheral Nerve Sheath Tumour

Nerve abscess is an infrequently reported complication of leprosy. It is also an uncommon first manifestation of leprosy. In this case, due to the absence of classic signs and symptoms, such as skin lesions, hypoesthesia, and loss of sensation, the swelling was clinically diagnosed as a peripheral nerve sheath tumour on initial presentation. The authors have described an unusual presentation of pure neuritic leprosy that showcased nerve abscess. Clinical presentation was swelling over the medial aspect of the right arm and ulnar aspect of the right forearm, and clawing of the fourth and fifth digits of the right hand, with no signs of inflammation present on the skin surrounding the swelling. Hansen’s disease with pure nerve involvement could not be considered as a differential diagnosis solely based on clinical examination, therefore posing a diagnostic challenge. On ultrasonography, the right ulnar nerve showed diffuse intermittent thickening and a heterogeneously hypoechoic fusiform area with internal echoes at the site of swelling indicating a nerve abscess. These led the authors to the diagnosis of leprosy with perineuronal abscess. Histopathology confirmed the diagnosis by revealing granulomas and acid-fast Hansen’s bacilli. The patient showed dramatic response to surgery, multidrug therapy, and systemic corticosteroids.

Quantitative Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction for Detection of Mycobacterium leprae DNA in Tissue Specimens from Patients with Leprosy.

In leprosy, early diagnosis is crucial to prevent transmission and onset of disabilities of the disease. The purpose of this study was to determine usefulness of quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in clinically diagnosed cases of leprosy. Thirty-two leprosy cases were included. The real-time PCR was performed using commercial kit targeting Mycobacterium leprae-specific insertion sequence element. The slit skin smear was positive in two (22.2%) borderline tuberculoid (BT) patients, five (83.3%) borderline lepromatous (BL) patients, and seven (50%) lepromatous leprosy (LL). The positivity of quantitative real-time PCR in BT, BL, LL, and pure neuritic leprosy were 77.8%, 83.3%, 100%, and 33.3%, respectively. Using histopathology as the gold standard, sensitivity of quantitative real-time PCR was 93.1%, and specificity was 100%. The DNA load was higher in LL (3,854.29/106 cells), followed by BL (140.37/106 cells), and BT (2.69/106 cells). Because of the high sensitivity and specificity of real-time PCR, our study strongly suggests the use of real-time PCR as a diagnostic tool for leprosy.

Unusual clinical presentations in leprosy: a case series and review.

Conventionally, leprosy has been divided into various spectra of presentation ranging from the tuberculoid to the lepromatous pole, as well as histoid, pure neuritic leprosy and reactional states. This however is an oversimplification as leprosy can present in unusual clinical forms that may obfuscate the diagnosis. Our objective was to highlight unusual clinical presentations of leprosy occurring across all spectra of the disease. Our case series describes eight uncommon presentations of leprosy seen over a period of 10 y from 2011 to 2021, wherein clinical diagnosis followed by a histopathological confirmation of leprosy was performed. These include rare presentations such as psoriasiform plaques, Lazarine leprosy, verrucous plaques and hypertrophic scarring. Many of these rare presentations remain hitherto unreported, such as primary hypogonadism and annular plaques mimicking erythema annulare centrifugum and erythema gyratum repens. Sarcoidosis and syphilis have been labeled as great mimickers in dermatology. The current case series and review is an attempt to highlight a multitude of unusual presentations of leprosy that need a separate mention to make a correct and timely diagnosis and prevent the debilitating sequelae of this otherwise treatable infectious disease.

A CASE OF AFB NEGATIVE PURE NEURITIC LEPROSY : PRESENTED AS MONONEURITIS MULTIPLEX DIAGNOSED BY PCR - A CASE REPORT

Pure Neuritic Leprosy, dened as a peripheral neuropathy in which the patient has no dermatological manifestation, is difcult to diagnose. Its diagnosis by bacteriological index and histopathology is not possible in the majority of the patient. Mononeuritis multiplex (MM) refers to involvement of several or many peripheral nerves at the same or different points in time by a disease process.This report describes a case of an atypical presentation of Hansen's disease (HD) as mononeuritis multiplex in the left lower limb and right upper limb with corresponding electrodiagnostic and molecular data that conrmed pure neuritic leprosy (PNL). The incidence of PNL is exceedingly low, still leprosy is the commonest cause of MM in the Indian subcontinent. It is important that the treating physician should also know the various neurological presentations, both mimics and chameleons, of this treatable disease to prevent permanent neuropathic injury and disability. Although Mononeuropathy is most common in PNL, the mononeuritis multiplex as the sole clinical presenting phenotype is quite uncommon. The case illustrated underscores the need to foster inter-speciality awareness because of the curable nature of the disease.

Clinical profile of patients with pure neuritic leprosy: 20 years’ experience at a tertiary referral centre from North India

Introduction Pure neuritic leprosy (PNL) is characterized by enlargement of peripheral nerves, sensory loss without any cutaneous lesions, skin slit smear negativity and a variable lepromin test and histopathology. Methods This was a retrospective analysis of the clinical records of all the leprosy patients enrolled in the Leprosy Clinic, during the years 1999–2019. The patient records fulfilling the diagnostic criteria of PNL were considered for analysis. Results A total of 1225 patients registered leprosy cases, out of which 41 (3.3%) patients were diagnosed with PNL. Mean age was 31 years and 80% patients were male. Multiple nerves were affected in 25 (61%) patients and one nerve was found to be affected in only 16 (39%) patients. Grade 2 deformities were seen in 26 (63%) patients. All patients were treated with multi-drug therapy - 25 patients received the multibacillary regimen and 16 received the paucibacillary regimen; 27 (66%) patients completed the treatment as prescribed. Conclusion Leprosy is the most common treatable cause of peripheral neuropathy. Therefore, early detection of leprosy neuropathy is important for preventing deformities and disabilities. It may be advisable to treat all PNL cases with the multibacillary multidrug therapy in view of higher rate of deformities.

Construction and Analysis of the Complete Genome Sequence of Leprosy Agent Mycobacterium lepromatosis.

ABSTRACTLeprosy is caused by Mycobacterium leprae and Mycobacterium lepromatosis. We report construction and analyses of the complete genome sequence of M. lepromatosis FJ924. The genome contained 3,271,694 nucleotides to encode 1,789 functional genes and 1,564 pseudogenes. It shared 1,420 genes and 885 pseudogenes (71.4%) with M. leprae but differed in 1,281 genes and pseudogenes (28.6%). In phylogeny, the leprosy bacilli started from a most recent common ancestor (MRCA) that diverged ~30 million years ago (Mya) from environmental organism Mycobacterium haemophilum. The MRCA then underwent reductive evolution with pseudogenization, gene loss, and chromosomal rearrangements. Analysis of the shared pseudogenes estimated the pseudogenization event ~14 Mya, shortly before species bifurcation. Afterwards, genomic changes occurred to lesser extent in each species. Like M. leprae, four major types of highly repetitive sequences were detected in M. lepromatosis, contributing to chromosomal rearrangements within and after MRCA. Variations in genes and copy numbers were noted, such as three copies of the gene encoding bifunctional diguanylate cyclase/phosphodiesterase in M. lepromatosis, but single copy in M. leprae; 6 genes encoding the TetR family transcriptional regulators in M. lepromatosis, but 11 such genes in M. leprae; presence of hemW gene in M. lepromatosis, but absence in M. leprae; and others. These variations likely aid unique pathogenesis, such as diffuse lepromatous leprosy associated with M. lepromatosis, while the shared genomic features should explain the common pathogenesis of dermatitis and neuritis in leprosy. Together, these findings and the genomic data of M. lepromatosis may facilitate future research and care for leprosy.IMPORTANCE Leprosy is a dreaded infection that still affects millions of people worldwide. Mycobacterium lepromatosis is a recently recognized cause in addition to the well-known Mycobacterium leprae. M. lepromatosis is likely specific for diffuse lepromatous leprosy, a severe form of the infection and endemic in Mexico. This study constructed and annotated the complete genome sequence of M. lepromatosis FJ924 and performed comparative genomic analyses with related mycobacteria. The results afford new and refined insights into the genome size, gene repertoire, pseudogenes, phylogenomic relationship, genome organization and plasticity, process and timing of reductive evolution, and genetic and proteomic basis for pathogenesis. The availability of the complete M. lepromatosis genome may prove to be useful for future research and care for the infection.

Erratum: Methylprednisolone pulse therapy for leprosy neuritis: A retrospective study with sensory testing and peripheral nerve ultrasonography correlation.

Erratum: Methylprednisolone pulse therapy for leprosy neuritis: A retrospective study with sensory testing and peripheral nerve ultrasonography correlation.

Endoscopic Cubital Tunnel Release in Leprosy Neuritis of the Ulnar Nerve.

Objectives To better characterize the role of endoscopic cubital tunnel release in leprosy neuritis and determine whether there is an improvement in pain, sensitivity, and strength with the use of this minimally invasive technique. Methods A total of 44 endoscopic procedures for ulnar nerve decompression at the elbow were performed in patients who were previously diagnosed with leprosy neuritis. The inclusion criteria were surgical indication for ulnar nerve release and clinical treatment failure for 4 weeks in patients with cubital tunnel syndrome who had their ulnar nerve function, whether motor or sensitive, deteriorated progressively despite the treatment with prednisone 1 mg/kg/day and physiotherapy. For endoscopic release, the CTS Relief Kit (Linvatec. Largo, FL, USA) and a standard 4mm 30° arthroscope were used. Results The study included 39 patients, 29 (74.4%) males and 10 (25.6%) females. The age of the patients ranged from 12 to 64 years (33 ± 14.97). Five patients underwent bilateral release. The release demonstrated a statistically significant improvement in pain ( p 0.002), in sensitivity ( p < 0.001), and in strength ( p < 0.001). The best results were obtained when ulnar release was performed less than 6 months after surgery indication. None of the procedures were converted from endoscopic to open. No major complications (infection, vascular injury, and nervous injury) were reported. One patient had ulnar nerve subluxation. Conclusion The endoscopic release of the ulnar nerve at the elbow in leprosy neuritis entails true and safe benefits for the patient, such as improvement in pain, sensitivity and strength.

Patterns and Trends of Tribal Leprosy: An Overview from a Tertiary Care Leprosy Clinic of Choto Nagpur Plateau of Eastern India.

Leprosy is a chronic granulomatous disease mainly affecting the peripheral nerves and skin. Any communities including the tribals are susceptible to leprosy. Very few studies on clinico-epidemiological patterns of leprosy have been reported in the tribal population, especially in the Choto Nagpur plateau. To observe clinical types of newly diagnosed leprosy cases among the tribal population and demonstrate bacteriological index, frequency of deformity, and lepra reaction at presentation. An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted with consecutive newly diagnosed tribal leprosy patients attending the leprosy clinic of a tribal-based tertiary care center of Choto Nagpur plateau of eastern India, from January 2015 to December 2019. Thorough history taking and clinical examination were done. A slit skin smear for AFB was performed to demonstrate the bacteriological index. There was a steady rise in total leprosy cases from 2015 to 2019. Borderline tuberculoid (BT) was the commonest form of leprosy (64.83%). Pure neuritic leprosy was not uncommon (16.26%). Multibacillary leprosy was noted in 74.72% of cases and childhood leprosy was observed in 6.70% of cases. The commonest nerve involved was the ulnar nerve. Garde II deformity was noted in around 20% of cases. AFB positivity was observed in 13.73% of cases. A high bacteriological index (BI ≥3) was noted in 10.65% of cases. Lepra reaction was observed in 25.38% of cases. BT leprosy, pure neuritic leprosy, childhood leprosy, grade II deformity, and higher AFB positivity were prevalent in this study. The tribal population required special attention and care for the prevention of leprosy amongst them.

The carpal tunnel syndrome in leprosy: a long term follow up of steroids versus surgical decompression for median nerve neuritis in leprosy

Leprosy is a stigmatizing and neglected tropical disease still prevalent in various countries of the world. According to WHO reports from 159 countries, 208,619 new leprosy cases were reported globally in 2018, of which Brazil, India, and Indonesia accounted for 79.6%. With the preference of M. leprae for cooler areas, peripheral nephropathy of the hand and feet are commonly seen in leprosy patients. Peripheral nerve involvement may result in the development of deformities. The ulnar nerve is commonly involved followed by median nerve, common peroneal nerve, facial nerve and the radial nerve in descending order. High doses of steroids are commonly given in peripheral neuropathies, but 70–75% cases still develop deformity with this treatment. Surgical decompression of involved nerves, though not so common, is another modality attempted for nerve damage prevention. In the present study, we compared steroid therapy alone with steroids plus surgical decompression, for carpal tunnel syndrome in leprosy cases. Methods 52 patients with involvement of 70 median nerves (18 bilateral) were enrolled. They had palpable median nerves, along with sensory and motor loss. 16 patients were lost to follow up by 2 years, so that 36 patients with 50 median nerves (14 bilateral) remained for review. These cases were randomly divided into two groups: one group was given steroids while the second group was given steroids along with surgical nerve decompression. The results were evaluated for improvement or deterioration of the sensory and motor symptoms, along with pain. Conclusion The results support the proposition that surgical decompression of the nerve together with steroid treatment, is a better option to prevent the progression of deformities due to median nerve involvement, than steroids alone.

Pure Neuritic Leprosy with Bilateral Foot Drop and Central Nervous Involvement: A Clinical, Electrophysiological, and MR Correlation.

Central nervous system (CNS) involvement in leprosy is sparsely documented. Neurophysiological tests and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) helps in demonstrating CNS involvement in the patient of pure neuritic leprosy. To demonstrate CNS involvement in pure neuritic leprosy. Detailed clinical presentation and skin lesions were evaluated. Sural nerve biopsy, MRI diffusion tensor imaging of spinal cord and optic nerve were performed. Visual evoked potential and tibial somatosensory evoked potential were done. Their clinical, electrophysiological, and MRI were done at follow-up visits. We report three patients of pure neuritic leprosy with bilateral foot drop as the initial presentation. MRI T2W sequence of cervico dorsal cord showed dorsal column hyperintensity in two patients. Diffusion-weighted MR revealed decrease fractional anisotropy and an increase in the apparent diffusion coefficient. Similar findings were also noted in the optic nerves. The patients were managed with multidrug therapy multibacillary regimen and steroid in tapering dose. At follow-up, they showed clinical improvement in vision and power of ankle dorsiflexor. Patients of pure neuritic leprosy may manifest with bilateral foot drop with the involvement of posterior column and cranial nerves.

Clinical prediction rules for the diagnosis of neuritis in leprosy

BackgroundDiagnosing neuritis in leprosy patients with neuropathic pain or chronic neuropathy remains challenging since no specific laboratory or neurophysiological marker is available. MethodsIn a cross-sectional study developed at a leprosy outpatient clinic in Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil, 54 individuals complaining of neural pain (single or multiple sites) were classified into two groups (“neuropathic pain” or “neuritis”) by a neurological specialist in leprosy based on anamnesis together with clinical and electrophysiological examinations. A neurologist, blind to the pain diagnoses, interviewed and examined the participants using a standardized form that included clinical predictors, pain features, and neurological symptoms. The association between the clinical predictors and pain classifications was evaluated via the Pearson Chi-Square or Fisher’s exact test (p < 0.05).ResultsSix clinical algorithms were generated to evaluate sensitivity and specificity, with 95% confidence intervals, for clinical predictors statistically associated with neuritis. The most conclusive clinical algorithm was: pain onset at any time during the previous 90 days, or in association with the initiation of neurological symptoms during the prior 30-day period, necessarily associated with the worsening of pain upon movement and nerve palpation, with 94% of specificity and 35% of sensitivity.ConclusionThis algorithm could help physicians confirm neuritis in leprosy patients with neural pain, particularly in primary health care units with no access to neurologists or electrophysiological tests.

Coexistence of Mycobacterium Tuberculosis and Mycobacterium Leprae in a Patient- an Alarm of Inadequate Innate Immune Response?

Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M.Tb) and Mycobacterium leprae (M.Leprae) are Gram-positive aerobic Acid-Fast Bacilli (AFB) causing chronic granulomatous infections like Tuberculosis (TB) and Leprosy respectively. They can present with varied manifestations according to the host’s immune status and response.[1] Both are prevalent in clusters in developing countries; however, the simultaneous occurrence of both infections in an individual is rare even in endemic areas (0.02 per 100,000 population).[2] Few case reports showing the coexistence of TB and leprosy, majority are TB developing following immunosuppressive treatment of leprosy reactions. Of which pure neuritic presentation of leprosy in an old treated case of Pulmonary Tuberculosis (PTB) has not been reported yet. Here we are reporting a case of PTB while on treatment developed neurological manifestations, diagnosed to be a case of poly neuritic leprosy (PNL). PNL is a rare form of leprosy, characterised by an area of sensory loss along the distribution of single/multiple thickened nerve trunks with or without motor deficit in the absence of skin lesions.&#x0D; Keywords: TB with Pure Neuritic Hansen, SNP- PPTN22, Defective Lymphocyte Transformation, SNP- Granulomatous infection

Late follow-up of peripheral neural decompression in leprosy: functional and clinical outcomes.

Peripheral neural surgical decompression (PNSD) is used as a complementary therapy to the clinical treatment of neuritis to preserve neural function. To evaluate the long-term (≥ 1 year) clinical and functional results for PNSD in leprosy neuritis. This cross-sectional study included leprosy patients who were in late postoperative period (LPO) of surgical decompression of ulnar, median, tibial, and fibular nerves. Socioeconomic, epidemiological, and clinical data were collected. The following instruments were used in this evaluation: visual analogue pain scale (VAS), Douleur Neuropathique en 4 Questions (DN4), SALSA scale, and simplified neurological assessment protocol. The preoperative (PrO) and 180-day postoperative (PO180) results were compared. We evaluated 246 nerves from 90 patients: 56.6% were on multidrug therapy (MDT) and 43.3% discharged from MDT. Motor scores and pain intensity showed statistically significant improvement (p<0.01). There was an increase in sensory scores only for bilateral ulnar nerves (p<0.05). Of the operated cases, 26.0% of patients were referred for surgery of ulnar neuritis and 23.6% of tibial neuritis. Neuropathic pain was reported in 41% of cases. Daily dose of prednisone reduced from 39.6 mg (±3.0) in PrO, 16.3 mg (±5.2) in PO180, to 1.7 mg (±0.8) in LPO. The SALSA scale results showed mild activity limitation in 51% and moderate in 34% of patients. Eighty percent of individuals reported that the results reached their expectations. PNSD in leprosy was effective in the long term to decrease the prevalence and intensity of pain, improve motor function, and reduce the dose of corticosteroids, which is reflected in the patients' satisfaction.

Cytomorphological Patterns of Nerve Aspirates in Pure Neuritic Leprosy-A Single Centre Cross-Sectional Observational Study.

Background:Pure neuritic leprosy (PNL) poses a diagnostic challenge because of absence of skin patches, inconclusive skin biopsies and nerve conduction studies. Nerve biopsy though the diagnostic gold standard, is invasive, requires expertise, and may not be feasible in all cases. Fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) of accessible thickened nerves can be utilized as a minimally invasive diagnostic modality in PNL. This study was carried out to describe cytomorphological patterns of nerve aspirates in patients of PNL for diagnosis and classification of leprosy and study its advantage, if any, over skin biopsy.Methods:Twenty-seven treatment naive clinically diagnosed patients of PNL were included in this cross-sectional study carried out from January 2017 to December 2018 at a tertiary care centre in Western India. FNAC was done from a clinically involved nerve and aspirates were evaluated for cytomorphological characteristics and the presence of Acid-Fast Lepra bacilli.Results:Nerve aspirates were diagnostic in 10 (37%) patients while 17 (63%) aspirates showed non-specific or no inflammation. Of the diagnostic aspirates, six (22.2%) were classified as tuberculoid leprosy, three (11.1%) as lepromatous and one (3.7%) as borderline leprosy. Mycobacterium leprae were demonstrated among three (11.1%) of these aspirates. In comparison, only three (11.1%) skin biopsies were diagnostic of leprosy with features of indeterminate spectrum. Remaining 24 skin biopsies showed normal histology in 20 (74.1%) cases to perivascular lymphocytic infiltrate in four (14.8%) cases.Conclusion:Our study demonstrates that FNAC of clinically thickened nerves has a better diagnostic yield than skin biopsy in PNL and shows all spectrums of leprosy. It also offers the advantage of sampling major nerve trunks without the fear of residual neurological deficit. However, most of the smears were paucicellular and a negative aspirate does not rule out leprosy.