DISTRIBUTION OF LEPRA REACTIONS AND ITS CLINICOHISTOPATHOLOGICAL CORRELATION: A CENTRAL INDIA STUDY

Description

Abstract (English)

Introduction: Leprosy is one of the most ancient diseases known to mankind. It is a chronic,
debilitating, granulomatous disease caused by Mycobacterium Leprae principally affecting
the cooler parts of the body, mainly skin and peripheral nerves. Leprosy reactions are
immunologically mediated episodes of acute or subacute inflammation which interrupt the
natural course of disease affecting the skin, nerves and others tissues. Reactional states are
divided into two forms, called type I and type II reactions. Material and Methods: Present
study was carried out in patients attending the Outpatient and Inpatient, Department of
department of DVL Index Medical College, Indore from January 2015 to December 2018.
Gross examinations of biopsies were done and Histopathological features and the
bacteriological status were noted and the diagnosis of leprosy was confirmed and classified
according to Ridley and Jopling classification. Results: Out of total 50 patients, 19 patients
were of Type I reaction while 31 of Type II reaction. Among 19 type I reaction patients, 14
were of Borderline Tuberculoid, 03 of Mid Borderline while 2 were of Borderline
Lepromatous, thus BT patients had higher incidence of type I reaction. Among 31 type II
patients 20 were of lepromatous leprosy while rest 11 of borderline lepromatous.
Conclusion: In the present study prevalence of type II Lepra reaction was higher than type I
Lepra reaction. This study emphasizes the need for detailed history, clinical examination and
investigations including biopsy for timely recognition of reactions, in order to halt the
progress and prevent the permanent damage it causes.