01412nas a2200205   4500000000100000008004100001260001200042653002700054653001500081653001300096653002000109653001200129100001400141245012200155856007500277300001000352490000700362520082300369022001401192       2026                            d  c06/202610aPaucibacillary leprosy10aNeuropathy10aZoonotic10aEndemic regions10aFlorida1 aRuffing K00aPaucibacillary leprosy presenting as fibular neuropathy: A case of autochthonous zoonotic exposure in endemic Florida  uhttps://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC13313367/pdf/pntd.0014456.pdf  a1 - 50 v203 a<p>We report a case of paucibacillary leprosy presenting as fibular neuropathy in a patient from Florida, an area with documented autochthonous transmission of Mycobacterium leprae. The patient exhibited neuropathic symptoms and a characteristic skin lesion, ultimately confirmed by biopsy with histopathological findings consistent with paucibacillary Hansen's disease, with negative Fite-Faraco staining and negative M. leprae PCR. The patient reported no travel history to internationally endemic areas; zoonotic exposure through frequent contact with armadillo-inhabited soil was identified as the most probable source of infection. This case underscores the importance of thorough physical examination and consideration of autochthonous zoonotic exposure in regions with documented environmental transmission.</p>  a1935-2735