Erythema nodosum leprosum: reactional leprosy. 2007

Jesús Cuevas, and José Luis Rodríguez-Peralto, and Rosario Carrillo, and Félix Contreras
Department of Pathology, Hospital General Universitario, Guadalajara, Spain. jcuevas@sescam.org

The different clinical forms of leprosy are mainly related to the variety of immunological responses to the infection. Thus, lepromatous leprosy occurs in patients with a poor cell-mediated immunity to Mycobacterium leprae, whereas tuberculoid leprosy is associated with a high resistance to leprosy bacillus. Intermediate forms, including borderline tuberculoid leprosy, borderline lepromatous leprosy, and borderline leprosy, are a continuous and unstable spectrum of the disease. Leprosy reactions are rare and not well-known states that interrupt the usual chronic course and clinical stability of patients with leprosy. They are expressions of immunological perturbations. Attending to the clinical and histopathological manifestations, leprosy reactions may be separated in 2 or 3 different variants: reverse reaction (type I), erythema nodosum leprosum (type II), erythema polymorphous (type II) and Lucio's phenomenon, mainly considered a type II reaction, but sometimes designated type III. Type I leprosy reaction, also named "upgrading reaction," occurs in borderline leprosy states and is associated with a shift toward the tuberculoid pole. Type II reaction usually occurs in lepromatous leprosy, and there are 3 different clinical variants, including erythema nudosum leprosum, erythema polymorphous-like reaction, and Lucio's phenomenon.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D003937 Diagnosis, Differential Determination of which one of two or more diseases or conditions a patient is suffering from by systematically comparing and contrasting results of diagnostic measures. Diagnoses, Differential,Differential Diagnoses,Differential Diagnosis
D004893 Erythema Nodosum An erythematous eruption commonly associated with drug reactions or infection and characterized by inflammatory nodules that are usually tender, multiple, and bilateral. These nodules are located predominantly on the shins with less common occurrence on the thighs and forearms. They undergo characteristic color changes ending in temporary bruise-like areas. This condition usually subsides in 3-6 weeks without scarring or atrophy.
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D015440 Leprosy, Lepromatous A chronic communicable infection which is a principal or polar form of LEPROSY. This disorder is caused by MYCOBACTERIUM LEPRAE and produces diffuse granulomatous skin lesions in the form of nodules, macules, or papules. The peripheral nerves are involved symmetrically and neural sequelae occur in the advanced stage. Leprosy, Cutaneous,Leprosy, Nodular,Cutaneous Leprosies,Cutaneous Leprosy,Lepromatous Leprosies,Lepromatous Leprosy,Leprosies, Cutaneous,Leprosies, Lepromatous,Leprosies, Nodular,Nodular Leprosies,Nodular Leprosy

Related Publications

Jesús Cuevas, and José Luis Rodríguez-Peralto, and Rosario Carrillo, and Félix Contreras
January 2003, Acta leprologica,
Jesús Cuevas, and José Luis Rodríguez-Peralto, and Rosario Carrillo, and Félix Contreras
January 1985, Indian journal of leprosy,
Jesús Cuevas, and José Luis Rodríguez-Peralto, and Rosario Carrillo, and Félix Contreras
July 2014, Cutis,
Jesús Cuevas, and José Luis Rodríguez-Peralto, and Rosario Carrillo, and Félix Contreras
December 1997, Leprosy review,
Jesús Cuevas, and José Luis Rodríguez-Peralto, and Rosario Carrillo, and Félix Contreras
June 1996, International journal of dermatology,
Jesús Cuevas, and José Luis Rodríguez-Peralto, and Rosario Carrillo, and Félix Contreras
February 1969, Proceedings of the Royal Society of Medicine,
Jesús Cuevas, and José Luis Rodríguez-Peralto, and Rosario Carrillo, and Félix Contreras
February 1977, Archives of dermatology,
Jesús Cuevas, and José Luis Rodríguez-Peralto, and Rosario Carrillo, and Félix Contreras
April 1959, Leprosy review,
Jesús Cuevas, and José Luis Rodríguez-Peralto, and Rosario Carrillo, and Félix Contreras
January 1967, International journal of leprosy and other mycobacterial diseases : official organ of the International Leprosy Association,
Jesús Cuevas, and José Luis Rodríguez-Peralto, and Rosario Carrillo, and Félix Contreras
January 1967, International journal of leprosy and other mycobacterial diseases : official organ of the International Leprosy Association,
Copied contents to your clipboard!