Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 10, 2026
05:44
Skin Biopsy for Diagnosing Discoid Lupus Erythematosus
Published on: June 10, 2025
[Polyarthritis and papular eruption revealing leprosy]
M Meyer1, S Ingen-Housz-Oro, O Ighilahriz
1Service de dermatologie, centre hospitalier d'Argenteuil, 69, rue du lieutenant-colonel Prudhon, 95100 Argenteuil, France.
La Revue De Medecine Interne
|November 3, 2007
Summary
Leprosy, a disease typically causing skin lesions and nerve damage, can rarely present as polyarthritis. This case highlights the diagnostic challenges of leprosy with rheumatic symptoms, especially in non-endemic areas.
Area of Science:
- Rheumatology
- Infectious Diseases
- Dermatology
Background:
- Leprosy diagnosis is often delayed in non-endemic regions like metropolitan France, particularly when symptoms mimic rheumatic conditions.
- The typical presentation of leprosy involves cutaneous lesions and nerve impairment, but polyarthritis is a rare manifestation.
Observation:
- A 28-year-old woman from Mali presented with polyarthritis and skin lesions.
- The patient was diagnosed with lepromatous borderline leprosy.
Findings:
- The leprosy diagnosis was complicated by a reversal reaction occurring postpartum.
- The patient's presentation with polyarthritis mimicked rheumatic disease, delaying diagnosis.
Implications:
- This case underscores the importance of considering leprosy in patients with unexplained polyarthritis, even in low-prevalence settings.
- Early diagnosis and treatment of leprosy are crucial to prevent severe nerve damage and disability.
- Raising awareness among clinicians about rare leprosy presentations is essential for timely diagnosis and management.
Related Concept Videos
01:25Endocarditis II: Clinical Features of Infective Endocarditis
Endocarditis can present various clinical features depending on the causative organism and the patient's underlying health conditions. Initially, the clinical features of infective endocarditis develop gradually, presenting with nonspecific symptoms that can be easily mistaken for other illnesses.General SymptomsEarly symptoms of infective endocarditis are fever, chills, weakness, malaise, fatigue, and weight loss. These symptoms reflect the systemic nature of the infection and the body's...
01:22Rheumatic Heart Disease II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies
The key clinical manifestations of Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) include several distinct cardiac symptoms.Carditis, a hallmark of acute rheumatic fever, involves inflammation of the heart's endocardium, myocardium, and pericardium. Chronic RHD often results from recurrent episodes of carditis. Its symptoms include the following:Murmurs are caused by valvular damage, especially to the mitral and aortic valves. Mitral stenosis or regurgitation is common, with characteristic heart murmurs...
01:23Rheumatic Heart Disease I: Introduction
Rheumatic heart disease or RHD is a chronic condition that results from rheumatic fever, causing permanent damage to the heart valves.Etiology and Risk FactorsIt primarily arises from rheumatic fever, an inflammatory disease that can develop after untreated or inadequately treated group A streptococcal (GAS) pharyngitis. Streptococcus spreads through direct contact with oral or respiratory secretions. While the bacteria are the causative agents, factors like malnutrition, overcrowding, poor...
01:24Smallpox
Smallpox is a severe contagious disease caused by the Variola major virus, a double-stranded DNA member of the Poxviridae family.Variola major transmission occurs primarily via inhalation of virus-laden droplets or direct contact with infectious scabs. The incubation period averages approximately seven days, although it may range from 7 to 17 days depending on the inoculum and host factors.Clinically, the prodromal phase is marked by an abrupt onset of high fever, malaise, headache, and myalgia.
01:19Hypersensitivity Reactions: Immune-Complex Reactions
Type III hypersensitivity reactions occur when antigen–antibody complexes form and activate the complement system. Normally, these complexes help the clearance of antigens by phagocytes and red blood cells. However, when large numbers of immune complexes are present, they can deposit in tissues—particularly in the walls of blood vessels—leading to inflammation and tissue injury. These deposits trigger complement activation and neutrophil recruitment, resulting in serum sickness, a systemic...
01:23Skin Diseases and Disorders
Skin is the first line of defense and encounters a variety of microbes. Some pathogenic strains are often the cause of a broad range of infections of the skin and other body systems. These conditions can affect people of all ages and may have different causes, including genetic factors, infections, autoimmune reactions, environmental factors, and lifestyle choices.
Gram-positive Staphylococcus spp. and Streptococcus spp. are responsible for many of the most common skin infections. However, many...
Gram-positive Staphylococcus spp. and Streptococcus spp. are responsible for many of the most common skin infections. However, many...