Manifestações sistêmicas e ulcerações cutâneas da hanseníase: diagnóstico diferencial com outras doenças reumáticas

Abstract

Leprosy is a systemic disease with predominant involvement of skin and nerves; articular manifestations are common and, in some cases, represent the initial complaint. We describe the case of a female patient with borderline leprosy, which manifested, initially, with symmetric polyarthritis, cutaneous ulcerative lesions on the lower limbs, and systemic manifestations mimicking rheumatic disease. The authors emphasize the importance of the differential diagnosis of the systemic, joint and, cutaneous involvement of leprosy with rheumatic diseases.

Leg ulcer in lepromatous leprosy - Case report

“…2 Less frequently, it is due to direct invasion of bacilli in the vascular endothelium, causing vasculitis, cutaneous necrosis and ulcers. 3 …”

Arthritis and diagnosis of leprosy: a case report and review of the literature

“…In its insidious evolution or during reactional episodes symptoms like fever, fatigue, paresthesias, myalgias occur, which in association with cutaneous and visceral lesions make it similar to collagenosis and other systemic diseases. 3 , 4 …”