Leprosy - eliminated and forgotten: a case report. 2019

Shiva Raj K C, and Geetika K C, and Purnima Gyawali, and Manisha Singh, and Milesh Jung Sijapati
Department of Pathology, KIST Medical College, Imadol, Lalitpur, Nepal. shivarajkc074@gmail.com.

BACKGROUND Leprosy is a disease that was declared eliminated in 2010 from Nepal; however, new cases are diagnosed every year. The difficulty arises when the presentation of the patient is unusual. METHODS In this case report we present a case of a 22-year-old Tamang man, from the Terai region of Nepal, with a clinical presentation of fever, malaise, and arthralgia for the past 2 weeks with hepatosplenomegaly and bilateral cervical, axillary, and inguinal lymphadenopathy. Features of chronic inflammation with elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate of 90 mm/hour and liver enzymes were noted. With no specific investigative findings, a diagnosis of Still's disease was made and he was given prednisolone. On tapering the medication, after 2 weeks, the lymphadenopathy and fever reappeared. On biopsy of a lymph node, diagnosis of possible tuberculosis was made. On that basis anti-tuberculosis treatment category I was started. During his hospital stay, our patient developed nodular skin rashes on his shoulder, back, and face. The biopsy of a skin lesion showed erythema nodosum leprosum and he was diagnosed as having lepromatous leprosy with erythema nodosum leprosum; he was treated with anti-leprosy medication. CONCLUSIONS An unusual presentations of leprosy may delay its prompt diagnosis and treatment; thus, increasing morbidity and mortality. Although leprosy has been declared eliminated, it should not be forgotten and physicians should have it in mind to make it a differential diagnosis whenever relevant.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008297 Male Males
D009390 Nepal Country located in southern Asia, between China and India. The capital is Kathmandu. Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal
D003951 Diagnostic Errors Incorrect or incomplete diagnoses following clinical or technical diagnostic procedures. Diagnostic Blind Spots,Errors, Diagnostic,Misdiagnosis,Blind Spot, Diagnostic,Blind Spots, Diagnostic,Diagnostic Blind Spot,Diagnostic Error,Error, Diagnostic,Misdiagnoses
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
D014388 Tuberculosis, Lymph Node Infection of the lymph nodes by tuberculosis. Tuberculous infection of the cervical lymph nodes is scrofula. Cervical Tuberculous Lymphadenitis,Lymphadenitis, Tuberculous,Mycobacterial Cervical Lymphadenitis,Scrofula,Cervical Lymphadenitis, Mycobacterial,Lymph Node Tuberculoses,Lymph Node Tuberculosis,Lymphadenitis, Cervical Tuberculous,Lymphadenitis, Mycobacterial Cervical,Scrofulas,Tuberculoses, Lymph Node,Tuberculous Lymphadenitis,Tuberculous Lymphadenitis, Cervical
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
D016706 Still's Disease, Adult-Onset Systemic-onset rheumatoid arthritis in adults. It differs from classical rheumatoid arthritis in that it is more often marked by acute febrile onset, and generalized lymphadenopathy and hepatosplenomegaly are more prominent. Adult-Onset Still Disease,Adult-Onset Still's Disease,Still Disease, Adult-Onset,Adult Onset Still Disease,Adult Onset Still's Disease,Adult-Onset Stills Disease,Still Disease, Adult Onset,Still's Disease, Adult Onset,Stills Disease, Adult-Onset
D055815 Young Adult A person between 19 and 24 years of age. Adult, Young,Adults, Young,Young Adults
D057210 Delayed Diagnosis Non-optimal interval of time between onset of symptoms, identification, and initiation of treatment. Diagnosis Delay,Late Diagnosis,Delayed Diagnoses,Diagnosis Delays,Diagnosis, Delayed,Diagnosis, Late,Late Diagnoses

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