Chronic type 2 reaction in lepromatous leprosy with underlying plasmodium falciparum infection: A case report

Tropical diseases prevalent in leprosy-endemic areas may alter the immunological patient response and also complicate the presentation of leprosy reactional episodes. The introduction of anti-malarial drugs in our case produced a subsidence of reaction. With dwindling manpower skilled in leprosy, the reactional episodes are very often treated with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, steroids and thalidomide, neglecting the possibility of other co-existing infections, tropical or other. Our case emphasises the importance of history, examination and balanced investigation in the context of tropical diseases in endemic areas before injudicious intervention.