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Leprosy Presenting as an Autoimmune or Rheumatic Disorder

Description

A patient with leprosy may initially present with features of an autoimmune or rheumatic disorder, whcih can cause a delay or error in diagnosis. Certain defects in host defenses may make a person more susceptible to infection and may be associated with autoimmune disorders.


 

Clinical features:

(1) The typical patient has indeterminate or lepromatous leprosy.

(2) The patient may present with an arthropathy which can be polyarticular and symmetric.

(3) Markers of inflammation such as the ESR are usually elevated.

(4) The patient may show autoantibodies such as ANA or rheumatoid factor.

(5) A biopsy may show noncaseating granulomas, which may be misdiagnosed as indicating sarcoidosis.

 

Problems in diagnosis can arise if:

(1) The healthcare provider is unfamiliar with leprosy.

(2) The rheumatic complaints predominate.

 


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Specialty

ICD-10