Neurological manifestations of Hansen's disease and their management

Hansen's disease is almost eliminated from developed countries but in developing countries of Africa, Asia and Latin America leprosy is still considered to be a public health problem. Mycobacterium leprae have the affinity for peripheral nerves and neuropathy is a cardinal manifestation of the disease. The nerve damage affects sensory, motor, and autonomic fibers resulting in the physical impairments and limitation of physical activities and social participation. Leprosy is a curable disease and treatment provided in the early stages will avert the disabilities. Approach to the neuritic leprosy depends on its clinical characteristics, nerve biopsy, and histological appearance of dermatological and neurological lesions. In this article we review the literature and discuss the pathology, clinical features, diagnosis and management of neurological manifestations of leprosy. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.