When should I refer a patient with suspected leprosy to a specialist for further evaluation and management?

Refer a patient with suspected leprosy to a specialist for further evaluation and management as soon as the diagnosis is suspected or confirmed. Early specialist referral is essential because leprosy requires expert assessment for diagnosis confirmation, initiation of appropriate multidrug therapy, and monitoring for complications such as nerve damage. Specialist involvement is also important to manage potential drug resistance and to coordinate multidisciplinary care.

Although the provided UK guidelines do not explicitly mention leprosy referral criteria, the principles for managing mycobacterial infections such as tuberculosis apply similarly: patients with suspected mycobacterial infections should be referred promptly to specialists for diagnostic testing and treatment planning, especially if drug resistance or complications are suspected ².