Type 1 lepra reaction in histoid leprosy.

OBJECTIVES: Lepra reaction in histoid leprosy (HL) is rare; there are few reports of type 2 lepra reaction in HL. We report a 42-year-old woman with HL in type 1 lepra reaction after 10 weeks of multibacillary multi-drug therapy (MBMDT). CASE REPORT: A 42-year-old woman presented with asymptomatic multiple papules, plaques, and nodules over the face, trunk, and extremities and no history of prior treatment with anti-leprosy drugs. A biopsy of a skin nodule on the forearm revealed spindle-shaped, non-vacuolated histiocytes in a whorled pattern with abundant acid-fast bacilli (AFB). The patient was diagnosed with HL and started on MBMDT. Ten weeks later, she developed pruritic, painful, erythematous, and edematous papules, plaques, and nodules over the face, trunk, and extremities, without constitutional symptoms. Histopathology revealed an atrophic epidermis, preserved grenz zone, and papillary dermal edema. Elongated AFB were visible on Fite's stain. The MBMDT was continued, along with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and antihistamines, but pruritus, pain, erythema, and edema persisted, and new skin lesions appeared. The patient was started on prednisolone at 0.75 mg/kg body weight/day. Prednisolone resulted in symptomatic relief and the healing of ulcerated papules within four weeks. Treatment was tapered and stopped after 20 weeks. CONCLUSIONS: Histoid leprosy is considered a variant of lepromatous leprosy, which rarely involves a lepra reaction. Pruritus and ulceration of skin lesions as manifestations of type 1 lepra reaction in HL have not been reported previously. These symptoms manifested after 10 weeks of MBMDT and responded well to oral prednisolone.

Mongolian spots.

Mongolian spots (MS) are birthmarks that are present at birth and their most common location is sacrococcygeal or lumbar area. Lesions may be single or multiple and usually involve < 5% total body surface area. They are macular and round, oval or irregular in shape. The color varies from blue to greenish, gray, black or a combination of any of the above. The size varies from few to more than 20 centimetres. Pigmentation is most intense at the age of one year and gradually fades thereafter. It is rarely seen after the age of 6 years. Aberrant MS over occiput, temple, mandibular area, shoulders and limbs may be confused with other dermal melanocytoses and bruises secondary to child abuse, thus necessitating documentation at birth. Although regarded as benign, recent data suggest that MS may be associated with inborn errors of metabolism and neurocristopathies. Mongolian spots usually resolve by early childhood and hence no treatment is generally needed if they are located in the sacral area. However, sometimes it may be required for extrasacral lesions for cosmesis.

Depigmentation therapies in vitiligo.

Depigmentation therapy in vitiligo is an option in those with extensive vitiligo who have failed to respond to medical therapy and have obvious cosmetic disfigurement due to intervening patchy pigmented areas. Various aspects of this therapy such as the cost, treatment time, course, permanency of depigmentation, side effects, and the possibility of repigmentation should first be discussed with the patient. At present, there is no ideal depigmenting therapy available, but many agents in the market have been in use for many years. Monobenzyl ether of hydroquinone (MBEH) is the mainstay and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved in USA but takes many months to depigment and is associated with local side effects and risk of repigmentation. Other agents which are also used are 4-methoxy phenol and 88% phenol. Physical therapies for depigmentation include Q-switched ruby and alexandrite lasers and cryotherapy. Second-line agents which can be explored for depigmentation include imatinib mesylate, imiquimod, and diphencyprone. Many possible experimental agents are being explored like various phenol derivatives, melanoma vaccines, interferon gamma, busulfan, etc. A major lacuna still exists in this area and a lot more research is desirable to give satisfactory cosmesis to these patients with extensive vitiligo.