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Concomitant age old infections of mankind - tuberculosis and leprosy: a case report

Chandrashekhar T Sreeramareddy1, Ritesh G Menezes, Pv Kishore

  • 1Department of Community Medicine, Manipal Teaching Hospital, Manipal College of Medical Sciences, Pokhara, Nepal. chandrashekharats@yahoo.com.

Journal of Medical Case Reports
|July 7, 2007
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Leprosy and tuberculosis co-infection is rare. However, patients with leprosy treated with glucocorticoids may be at higher risk for developing tuberculosis.

Area of Science:

  • Infectious Diseases
  • Immunology
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Leprosy and tuberculosis (TB) are distinct infectious diseases.
  • Concomitant infections are infrequently reported, often attributed to differing transmission dynamics.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To report two cases of pulmonary tuberculosis in patients undergoing treatment for leprosy complications.
  • To highlight a potential increased risk of TB in leprosy patients receiving specific treatments.

Main Methods:

  • Case series reporting two patients with leprosy.
  • Review of medical histories focusing on concurrent diagnoses and treatments.

Main Results:

  • Two leprosy patients developed pulmonary tuberculosis while on glucocorticoid therapy.
  • Glucocorticoid treatment for leprosy complications was a shared factor.

Conclusions:

  • Glucocorticoid-treated leprosy patients represent a population at increased risk for developing tuberculosis.
  • Clinicians should maintain a high index of suspicion for TB in this patient group.

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