01369nas a2200241   4500000000100000008004100001260001300042653001000055653001100065653001200076653000900088653001500097653002300112100001600135700001200151700001100163700001500174245003900189300001100228490000700239520086700246022001401113       2004                            d  c2004 Dec10aAdult10aHumans10aleprosy10aMale10aMicronesia10aMilitary Personnel1 aHartzell JD1 aZapor M1 aPeng S1 aStraight T00aLeprosy: a case series and review.  a1252-60 v973 a<p>Hansen disease, historically known as leprosy, is caused by Mycobacterium leprae. The disease is rare in the United States but remains endemic among certain immigrant populations, and may manifest years after infection. The US military has a number of active duty troops originally from endemic countries. Recently, three US soldiers with Hansen disease were evaluated at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. The mean time to diagnosis was 8 months (range, 2 to 18 months). All three patients were initially misdiagnosed and treated for other skin infections or contact dermatitis. These cases illustrate the importance of prompt recognition and treatment of Hansen disease to prevent permanent disability and disfigurement. The clinical presentation, diagnosis, classification, and currently recommended therapeutic regimens for Hansen disease are discussed.</p>  a0038-4348