Dapsone: An Update.

Dapsone is an extensively Used drug for the treatment of leprosy as well as'some other clinical problems worldwide: Its use has been predicted to increase further, especially in non leprosy conditions. Treatment with Dapsone is sometimes known'to be associated with side-effects, which include gastrointestinal intolerance, haemolysis, methaemoglobinaemia, agranulocytosis, psychosis, peripheral neuritis and varied dermatological conditions, varying from simple rash to severe life threatening epidermolytic reactions and Dapsone hypersensitivity syndrome (DHS). DHS is a rare delayed hypersensitivity reaction involving multiple organs. the condition is associated with high morbidity and is potentially fatal. In this article, the focus is on etiopathogenesis, diagnosis and management of DHS. Awareness of the varied presentation/s of the condition, early recognition, withdrawal of the drug and proper management helps in rapid reduction in morbidity and preventing fatalities associated with it.

Early Onset Dapsone-induced Photosensitive Dermatitis: A Rare Side Effect of a Common Drug.

Dapsone, a potent anti-inflammatory compound, is mainly used in the treatment of leprosy, dermatitis herpetiformis, erythema elevatum diutinum and other dermatoses. Cutaneous adverse reactions range from acneiform eruptions to toxic epidermal necrolysis. A 30-year-old, married women who was treated with paucibacillary multi drug therapy, developed itchy skin lesions over the both forearms, 'V ' area of the neck and upper back after one week of the drug administration which worsened on exposure to sunlights. A clinical diagnosis of dapsone-induced photosensitive dermatitis was confirmed by histopathology and recurrence of symptoms and signs after re-exposure to the drug. Photosensitivity due to dapsone is rare and very few reports are available in the literature. Our patient had an unusually early onset compared to the previously reported cases.

Primary Neuritic Hansen's Disease presenting as Ulnar Nerve Abscess in a Human Immunodeficiency Virus Positive Patient.

Leprosy has been increasingly known to have an enigmatic relationship with human immunodeficiency virus infection. Co-infection may result in atypical manifestations of leprosy. A 45-year old human immunodeficiency virus-positive male; agricultural laborer presented with a swelling over right elbow, right hand deformity, generalized itching and recurrent vesicles overthe perinasal area. Clinical and investigational findings were consistent with mononeuritic type of Hansen's disease with right sided silent ulnar nerve abscess, partial claw hand. CD4+ count of the patientwas 430 cells/cmm. This patient also hadherpes simplex labialis, with HIV-associated pruritus. To the best of our knowledge such an atypical presentation has not been reported earlier.