Leprosy in Israel: an imported disease--the support of histopathological examination for its detection.

Leprosy is rare and non-endemic in Israel. Cases of leprosy are invariably imported by immigrants or foreign workers arriving from endemic areas. In view of the relative rarity of the disease, clinicians and pathologists are not always alert to the possibility of the disease or recognize potential symptoms. A case history is presented of a 31-year-old immigrant presenting symptoms of skin lesions and nodules on the hands and facial region, especially the ear lobe. Confirmation of the infection was provided by histopathology of suspected lesions stained for acid-fast bacilli (modified Fite-Faraco staining).