Borderline type leprosy with variation of clinical manifestations and histopathology: two case reports

Abstract

Background: Leprosy is a chronic disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae. This disease can be diagnosed if one of the four criteria is met. Histopathological examination can vary depending on the spectrum of the disease. The following describes two cases of borderline-type leprosy that aimed to increase understanding of the diagnosis and management of leprosy, especially the borderline type. Cases: Both cases had complaints of numb spots on the body. The first case had more lesions than the second one with borderline-borderline histopathological examination results, while the second one had borderline lepromatous histopathological examination results. Both patients received the same therapy (multidrug therapy for multibacillary leprosy). During observation, there were no drug side effects that the patient could not tolerate. The prognosis in both cases is dubia, depending on the patient’s adherence to treatment. Conclusion: The diversity of clinical and histopathological features can occur, including cases of leprosy. Early diagnosis and prompt treatment should be started as possible to prevent disabilities.