Delayed diagnosis of multibacillary leprosy: a report of eight cases.

Leprosy is an important public health problem in Brazil. However, this disease is still poorly diagnosed in its early stages, leading to permanent disability and disfigurement. We examined eight patients with clinical and histological diagnosis of multibacillary leprosy who were being treated for other diseases for about three years without clinical hypothesis of leprosy. These cases illustrate the importance of medical education and public information about leprosy's signs and symptoms for prompt recognition and treatment, which are necessary to prevent permanent disabilities and eradicate the disease.