01357nas a2200205   4500000000100000008004100001260001300042653001100055653002300066653001200089653002500101653002200126653003900148100001400187245005600201300001100257490000800268520086100276022001401137       2012                            d  c2012 Dec10aHumans10aLeprostatic Agents10aleprosy10aMycobacterium leprae10aPeripheral nerves10aPeripheral Nervous System Diseases1 aGrimaud J00a[Peripheral nerve damage in patients with leprosy].  a967-740 v1683 a<p>Leprosy is one of the six diseases that the WHO considers as the major threat in developing countries. Damage to nerves can occur before, during, and after treatment and can result in disabilities and long-term disfigurement, which is associated with stigma. Considered exotic and rare in European countries, it is important for neurologists to be able to make the diagnosis of leprosy early in order to rapidly alleviate patient suffering and prevent and reverse nerve damage. Leprosy must be considered in the differential diagnosis of peripheral neuropathy, even in the absence of skin lesions and especially when present in a patient from an endemic country. Immune response and mechanisms involved in nerve damage are not clearly understood. There is no predictive test for the extent of nerve damage and no good evidence on the best treatment.</p>  a0035-3787