Joint-related manifestations of leprosy: A case report

Leprosy is a chronic granulomatous disease in which the musculoskeletal system has been described as the third most commonly affected system. Leprosy infections may manifest with various autoimmune phenomena reminiscent of classic autoimmune diseases. Among the leprosy factors affecting the prognosis of the disease, early diagnosis was reported to be the most effective. A ۴۶-year-old married woman was referred to the hospital with initial articular symptoms. The patient also had deep folds, increased thickness of the skin in the forehead area, and dryness of the skin with a progressive course. The finger deformities and swelling are certainly misleading, but they may constitute an unsuspected inaugural form of leprosy, especially in its lepromatous form. The skin smear and biopsy confirmed leprosy, and treatment consisting of multi-drug therapy, as suggested by the WHO, was prescribed for the patient. According to these findings, it seems that one of the major symptoms of leprosy is musculoskeletal involvement and rheumatological manifestations, which may obscure and mislead diagnostic and treatment plans.

Keywords:

arthritis , lepra reaction , Leprosy , swollen hand foot syndrome