A Rare form of Hansen’s Disease Presenting as Hypertrophic Scar

Hansen’s disease or leprosy is a chronic disease that mostly affects the skin and peripheral nerves which results in neuropathy and with associated long-term consequences like deformities and disabilities. The proposed portals of entry are the skin and upper respiratory tract. The importance of the skin as a probable route of entry of Mycobacterium leprae into the body and the possibility that the organism may survive in the environment for several days may augment that it is likely that the bacilli may enter the skin by inoculation such as vaccination, tattooing, or trauma to the skin.

We report an interesting case of leprosy in a Filipino, arising from a burn scar ten years ago. Skin punch biopsy on two sites revealed hypertrophic scar and Hansen’s disease, borderline tuberculoid. Patient was started on recommended standard regimen for paucibacillary leprosy with noted clinical improvement.