Tuberculoid Leprosy and Psoriasis : A Comparative Clinical and Histopathological Study

Abstract

          Authors have conducted this retrospective descriptive study. To compare the clinical and histopathological features of each of 30 new patients with tuberculoid leprosy and psoriasis by making analysis from their registration cards of the Wat Makut Skin clinic, Department of Disease Control from 2014 to 2017. Results revealed definite differentiation of clinical features on family history, delayed diagnosis, type of skin lesions, common location, number and distribution of lesions. Characteristics of clinical features for differential diagnosis included findings of anesthetic erythematous plaque with clear cut margin and dry surface together with findings of palpable thickening peripheral nerves and disabilities of hands and feet among 30 cases of tuberculoid leprosy. Meanwhile, non-anesthetic erythematous plaques covered by silvery and greasy scales with shiny surface and finding of hemorrhage after removal of scales were found among 30 cases of psoriasis. Definite differentiation of histopathology of epidermal and dermal layers of skin were also found among two groups of diseases. Authors have recommended improvement of further study and application of results of this study for future training on differential diagnosis of these two diseases to physicians and health personals of health service system under low-endemic condition of leprosy after successful elimination of leprosy in order to enhance their quality and potential to meet with achievement of the final WHO goal of sustainable elimination of leprosy and leprosy free in the year 2020.