Lepromatous leprosy presenting as orchitis

Area of Science:

• Infectious Diseases
• Dermatology
• Urology

Background:

• Leprosy, a chronic infectious disease, primarily affects the skin and peripheral nerves.
• Lepromatous leprosy is the most contagious form, characterized by widespread skin lesions and immune system involvement.
• Orchitis, inflammation of the testicles, can lead to pain, swelling, and infertility.

Observation:

• Two cases of lepromatous leprosy presenting initially with lepromatous orchitis are described.
• Diagnosis of lepromatous orchitis occurred before other leprosy manifestations were evident in both patients.
• One patient later developed generalized skin lesions typical of lepromatous leprosy.

Findings:

• Lepromatous orchitis can be an isolated initial presentation of lepromatous leprosy.
• The study highlights unusual cases where testicular involvement preceded typical dermatological signs.
• This suggests a potential for leprosy to manifest initially in the reproductive system.

Implications:

• Lepromatous orchitis should be included in the differential diagnosis for orchitis and male infertility.
• Early consideration of leprosy in cases of orchitis may lead to timely diagnosis and treatment.
• This broadens the understanding of leprosy's diverse clinical presentations.