Introduction: Leprosy is a life-threatening infection caused by Mycobacterium leprae with an average 5-year long incubation period. It is curable when treated early. Early diagnosis requires knowledge of its myriad clinical features as risk factors may not be readily apparent.
Case Presentation: We report the case of a male patient from Wisconsin who tested positive for leprosy without a known exposure or recent travel to endemic areas.
Discussion: The clinical presentation of leprosy exists on a spectrum and correlates with cell immunity levels. The Ridley-Jopling and World Health Organization classifications are used to define leprosy subtypes and guide treatment. Histopathologic examination may aid in diagnosis of suspicious presentations.
Conclusions: Leprosy may present with nonspecific clinical features and elevated inflammatory markers leading to a misdiagnosis. It should be considered on the differential diagnosis for suspicious presentations and appropriately worked up with various diagnostic modalities. A multidisciplinary approach to treatment may prevent spread and permanent damage.
BT - Wisconsin Medical Journal C1 -https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/37494653
DA - 07/2023 IS - 3 J2 - WMJ LA - eng M3 - Case Report N2 -Introduction: Leprosy is a life-threatening infection caused by Mycobacterium leprae with an average 5-year long incubation period. It is curable when treated early. Early diagnosis requires knowledge of its myriad clinical features as risk factors may not be readily apparent.
Case Presentation: We report the case of a male patient from Wisconsin who tested positive for leprosy without a known exposure or recent travel to endemic areas.
Discussion: The clinical presentation of leprosy exists on a spectrum and correlates with cell immunity levels. The Ridley-Jopling and World Health Organization classifications are used to define leprosy subtypes and guide treatment. Histopathologic examination may aid in diagnosis of suspicious presentations.
Conclusions: Leprosy may present with nonspecific clinical features and elevated inflammatory markers leading to a misdiagnosis. It should be considered on the differential diagnosis for suspicious presentations and appropriately worked up with various diagnostic modalities. A multidisciplinary approach to treatment may prevent spread and permanent damage.
PY - 2023 SP - 205 EP - 207 T2 - Wisconsin Medical Journal TI - Leprosy in the Upper Midwest. UR - https://wmjonline.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/122/3/205.pdf VL - 122 SN - 2379-3961 ER -