How is Leprosy Detected?

How Leprosy is Detected: Essential Methods Explained

Leprosy, or Hansen's disease, is a chronic bacterial infection primarily affecting skin, nerves, and mucous membranes. Early diagnosis is crucial to prevent long-term complications such as nerve damage and disability.

According to a report by the World Health Organization (WHO), more than 140,000 new leprosy cases occurred worldwide in 2021, with most reported from India, Brazil, and Indonesia. In the past few decades, early detection and multi-drug therapy (MDT) have significantly reduced the number of leprosy cases.

So, how do doctors diagnose leprosy? Let's explore the step-by-step process.

Recognizing Early Symptoms

Detection typically begins with a person noticing unusual patches of skin or experiencing numbness. Common initial symptoms include:

• Pale or reddish skin patches that don’t go away
• Numbness or tingling in the hands, feet, or face
• Loss of sensation in affected skin areas
• Muscle weakness, especially in the hands or feet
• Thickened skin or lumps
• Eye dryness or vision issues if nerves near the eyes are involved

One of the key points is that the symptoms develop extremely gradually—sometimes over several years—resulting in a delay in diagnosis.

Clinical Examination

If a person presents with these symptoms, the doctor performs a physical examination to look for any signs of leprosy. They will evaluate:

• The number and type of skin lesions
• Whether these patches have lost the sense of touch, pain, or temperature
• Swelling or damage to peripheral nerves
• Muscle strength in the hands, feet, and face

Loss of sensation is a key clue that helps doctors suspect leprosy over other skin conditions, such as fungal infections or eczema.

Skin Smear Tests

To confirm the diagnosis, doctors often perform a skin smear test. In this procedure:

• A tiny tissue sample is taken from the edge of a skin lesion using a blade or scalpel.
• The tissue is stained and examined under a microscope.
• If Mycobacterium leprae bacteria are present, the test is positive.

This test assists in determining the type of leprosy and bacterial load, which guides treatment regimens.

Skin Biopsy

If the smear test is unsatisfactory, a skin biopsy may be performed. A sample of skin is collected under local anaesthesia and analyzed in a laboratory. A biopsy would identify granulomas or colonies of bacteria in the tissue—another diagnostic indicator of leprosy.

Nerve Testing

Since the disease affects nerves, nerve function tests are essential to the diagnostic workup. These would include:

• Touch and temperature sensitivity tests
• Reflex tests
• Nerve conduction studies or nerve biopsies are sometimes performed to rule out damage

Nerve involvement must be diagnosed early to prevent irreversible complications such as deformity and disability.

Molecular Tests (PCR)

Facilities in well-equipped healthcare centres perform polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests. They can detect the DNA of leprosy from tissue samples and are helpful in early or complex cases. While not available in all areas, they provide highly accurate results.

The diagnosis of leprosy is a comprehensive process involving the detection of symptoms, physical examinations, laboratory tests, and, in certain situations, advanced diagnostic techniques. The most crucial component in this case is early detection—before damage is done to the nerves. Being informed aids in this process. So, if you notice unusual spots on your skin accompanied by numbness, do not take it lightly. Seek medical attention immediately.

Star Health promotes early detection and offers support for diseases such as leprosy through preventive screenings and wellness initiatives. Early treatment not only ensures successful outcomes but also helps reduce the stigma associated with this otherwise curable disease.

Check out the Star Special Care Gold plan today!