Relapse in leprosy after multidrug therapy and its differential diagnosis with reversal reaction.
Relapse may be caused either by persisters or through reinfection in a patient released from treatment after MDT. Differentiating relapse from reversal reaction is not always easy, on histological and clinical grounds. A therapeutic trial with steroids for 2-4 weeks can be used to differentiate relapse from reversal reaction occurring in the skins. However, if a patient develops nerve function deficit after release from treatment, it is best to initiate antileprosy treatment along with a long course of steroids.
Victoria Hospital, Dichpalli.
P K
PK
Reddy
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Cherian
D001706:Biopsy; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D006801:Humans; D007111:Immunity, Cellular; D015439:Leprosy, Borderline / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D015440:Leprosy, Lepromatous / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D015441:Leprosy, Tuberculoid / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D010525:Peripheral Nerves / Q000473:pathology; D012008:Recurrence; D012867:Skin / Q000473:pathology