Leprosy is a chronic granulomatous disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae and may manifest variable symptoms and signs. A 63-year-old woman developed multiple erythematous subcutaneous nodules on her trunk and extremities and experienced arthralgia. She had been receiving treatment for rheumatoid arthritis. On physical examination, she had atrophy of the hypothenar and thenar muscles, a claw hand, and peripheral neuropathy. Systemic symptoms were accompanied by fatigue, myalgia, malaise, and appetite loss. Histologic examination showed large foamy histiocytes forming granulomas, and numerous acid-fast bacilli and globi were detected on Fite stain. We report lepromatous leprosy mimicking rheumatoid arthritis to highlight the typical manifestation of leprosy mimicking other diseases.
BT - Korean Journal of Dermatology J2 - Korean J Dermatol LA - eng N2 -Leprosy is a chronic granulomatous disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae and may manifest variable symptoms and signs. A 63-year-old woman developed multiple erythematous subcutaneous nodules on her trunk and extremities and experienced arthralgia. She had been receiving treatment for rheumatoid arthritis. On physical examination, she had atrophy of the hypothenar and thenar muscles, a claw hand, and peripheral neuropathy. Systemic symptoms were accompanied by fatigue, myalgia, malaise, and appetite loss. Histologic examination showed large foamy histiocytes forming granulomas, and numerous acid-fast bacilli and globi were detected on Fite stain. We report lepromatous leprosy mimicking rheumatoid arthritis to highlight the typical manifestation of leprosy mimicking other diseases.
PB - KoreaMed PY - 2014 EP - 813–816 T2 - Korean Journal of Dermatology TI - Lepromatous Leprosy Misdiagnosed as Rheumatoid Arthritis VL - 52 ER -