Multibacillary leprosy mimicking systemic lupus erythematosus: case report and literature review

Lupus
G Horta-BaasR Arenas-Guzmán

Abstract

Leprosy is an infectious chronic disease with a wide range of clinical and serological manifestations. We report a case of a woman presenting with a malar rash, painless oral ulcers, photosensitivity, arthritis, positive antinuclear antibodies test and leuko-lymphopenia. Our case illustrates an unusual presentation of leprosy initially diagnosed as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). After the confirmation of multibacillary leprosy and multidrug therapy recommended by the World Health Organization, a good clinical response was observed. Recognition of rheumatic manifestations in leprosy is important as they may be confused with SLE. A literature review is presented to encourage clinicians to consider leprosy as a differential diagnosis. Specifically in patients with unusual rheumatic manifestations and persistent skin lesions, and when neurological symptoms are present. Leprosy has not been eradicated, so misdiagnosis can be frequent. It is necessary to increase medical practitioner awareness in order start proper treatment.

References

Oct 1, 1967·Dermatologia Internationalis·L BonomoF Dammacco
Jun 1, 1994·The Journal of Investigative Dermatology·R L Modlin
Jan 1, 1996·Clinical Rheumatology·L S Guedes BarbosaM A Scheinberg
Apr 15, 2004·Lancet·Warwick J Britton, Diana N J Lockwood
Mar 29, 2005·Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology·James R AlbertiWilliam R Levis
Sep 24, 2005·Clinics in Dermatology·Marcia Ramos-E-SilvaGabriela H Munhoz-da-Fontoura
Jun 7, 2007·Journal of Clinical Rheumatology : Practical Reports on Rheumatic & Musculoskeletal Diseases·Cindy FlowerSean Marquez
Jan 31, 2009·The Australasian Journal of Dermatology·Rachel Manifold, Gillian Marshman
Feb 9, 2010·The Brazilian Journal of Infectious Diseases : an Official Publication of the Brazilian Society of Infectious Diseases·Maria Angela Bianconcini TrindadeAna Karina Alves Moura
Feb 23, 2011·Revista Da Sociedade Brasileira De Medicina Tropical·Gilson José Allain Teixeira JuniorVera Magalhães
Nov 16, 2011·Rheumatology International·María G Zavala-CernaArnulfo Nava
Feb 6, 2013·Clinical Rheumatology·Guanqun ChaoChongrong Lu
May 7, 2013·Clinical Rheumatology·Sheetal Salvi, Arvind Chopra

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Citations

Oct 30, 2016·International Journal of Rheumatic Diseases·Latika GuptaVikas Agarwal
Sep 11, 2019·PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases·Camila Oliveira da SilvaMaria Cristina Vidal Pessolani
Jan 25, 2020·Clinical Nuclear Medicine·Dan ShaoShu-Xia Wang
May 24, 2019·BMC Infectious Diseases·Miguel Gomes GuerraSandra Patrícia Abreu Monteiro Pinto
Mar 13, 2018·Current Opinion in Rheumatology·Luis J JaraMiguel A Saavedra
Jul 23, 2020·Clinical Case Reports·Pedram NoormohammadpourZeinab Nouri

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Methods Mentioned

BETA
biopsy

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.