New Delhi: A new study by researchers at AIIMS Bhubaneswar on Monday showed a ‘hidden’ form of Leprosy can silently affect the brain and spinal cord.
While Leprosy is an ancient disease that often leads to disfiguring skin sores, a lesser-known form of leprosy- pure neuritic leprosy (PNL) – can inflict significant damage without any visible skin changes.
This “hidden” form of leprosy primarily affects peripheral nerves and is often undiagnosed.
Not being diagnosed on time can lead to delayed treatment and potential disabilities.
The study, published in the medical journal Acta Neurologica Belgica, challenges the conventional understanding of PNL as solely a peripheral nerve disease.
It underscores the importance of evaluating central nervous system involvement for early detection and treatment, a discovery that could pave the way for innovative therapies and treatments, offering hope for improved outcomes.
Dr. Sanjeev Kumar Bhoi, Head of the Neurology Department at AIIMS Bhubaneswar, said the majority of PNL cases involve subclinical central nervous system involvement.
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“This means the disease can silently affect the brain and spinal cord even without causing noticeable skin lesions — a hallmark of leprosy,” the doctor explained.
This breakthrough will have significant implications for leprosy diagnosis and management, providing reassurance and confidence in the potential for earlier diagnosis and targeted interventions.
“Our study shows that PNL can subtly affect the central nervous system. Such leprosy cases are often left undiagnosed due to the absence of skin-related symptoms,” Bhoi said.
He stressed the need to test “both peripheral and central nervous involvement” to accelerate early detection of PNL, “allowing for treatment to reduce disability risks.”
Funded by the Odisha government, the study involved a comprehensive analysis of 76 patients suspected of having PNL.
Using nerve biopsies, the team confirmed the diagnosis in 49 patients aged between 14 and 72.
The researchers said that most patients were men, and a unilateral foot drop and claw hand were the most common symptoms.
The team also suggested new approaches to PNL diagnosis, such as Nerve Conduction Studies and central nervous system tests.
Nerve Conduction Studies should be done for patients with nerve-related symptoms like sensory loss or muscle weakness without skin lesions.
The study said that tests like VEP (for vision nerve pathways), SSEP (for sensory pathways), and BAEP (for auditory pathways) should be considered for a more comprehensive diagnosis.
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–IANS
