Can Hansen’s disease mimic histiocytosis? Histiocytosis a possibility in nonresponsive and incompletely investigated cases of Hansen’s disease

Authors

  • Tasleem Arif Ellahi Medicare clinic, Srinagar, Kashmir, India.
  • Mohammad Adil Department of Dermatology. Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College (JNMC), Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), Aligarh, India

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.66344/jpad.v31i1.1523

Keywords:

Generalized eruptive histiocytosis, histiocytosis, Hansen’s disease, histoid leprosy, skin colored papules.

Abstract

Generalized eruptive histiocytosis (GEH) is a rare histiocytosis of the skin that presents in adults as multiple asymptomatic skin colored papules and nodules on the face, trunk and proximal upper limbs in a symmetrical manner. The lesions occur in crops and regress on their own. Clinical and histopathological examination differentiates this condition from other histiocytoses and from the more common disease leprosy, which it mimics closely. We describe a case of GEH mimicking Hansen’s disease (HD).

 

Author Biographies

  • Tasleem Arif, Ellahi Medicare clinic, Srinagar, Kashmir, India.

    Dr. Tasleem Arif.

    MBBS, MD (Dermatology, STD & Leprosy).

    Ellahi Medicare clinic, Srinagar, Kashmir, India.

    Cell number: +919557480345.

    Permanent Address: New colony Soura, near water supply control room, Srinagar, Kashmir, India.

    PIN: 190011

    Email: dr_tasleem_arif@yahoo.com

  • Mohammad Adil, Department of Dermatology. Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College (JNMC), Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), Aligarh, India

    Mohammad Adil

    MBBS, MD (Dermatology, STDs & Leprosy).

    Assistant professor, Department of Dermatology.

    Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College (JNMC), Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), Aligarh, India.

    Email: dr.mohd.adil@gmail.com

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Published

04.03.2021

Issue

Section

Case Reports

How to Cite

1.
Can Hansen’s disease mimic histiocytosis? Histiocytosis a possibility in nonresponsive and incompletely investigated cases of Hansen’s disease. J Pak Assoc Dermatol [Internet]. 2021 Mar. 4 [cited 2026 Aug. 2];31(1):111-5. Available from: https://www.jpad.com.pk/index.php/jpad/article/view/1523