01504nas a2200169   4500000000100000008004100001653001200042653002000054653001500074100001700089700001300106700001800119245005700137300001000194050002100204520110900225       2013                            d10aleprosy10aChronic Disease10aDisability1 aAfrasiabian 1 aGharib A1 aHajibagheri K00aUndetected leprosy in an endemic area: A case report  a1 - 4  aAFRASIABIAN 20133 aLeprosy is an infectious disease causing irreversible disability if unnoticed. A 69-year-old man with undetected leprosy from 30 years ago referred to us with claw hand and Madrosis (Milphosis). The patient complained of nonhealing and painless ulcers on the extremities as well as numbness in the right leg. He told the medical team that he could not feel his feet in his shoes. The patient had blurred vision and lacrimation two weeks before admission. He had a history of recurrent foot ulcers from 25 years ago although he referred to medical staff about 5 years ago with infected wound on the hands and multiple scars of pervious ulcers. The disabilities were mainly in consequence of late visit to healthcare centers, misdiagnosis, difficult access to medical centers and patient's
unawareness. The case showed the significance of medical education and public awareness for signs and symptoms of leprosy to be recognized and treated on time. In conclusion detecting leprosy should not be delayed just because of a decrease in the number of cases especially in an endemic area like Kurdistan, Iran.