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Lepromatous Leprosy Misdiagnosed as Rheumatoid Arthritis

Abstract

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.

More information

Type
Journal Article
Author
Lim HS
Yun SJ
Lee JB
Kim SJ
Lee SC
Won YH