Korean J Dermatol.  2014 Nov;52(11):813-816.

Lepromatous Leprosy Misdiagnosed as Rheumatoid Arthritis

• Lim HS
• Yun SJ
• Lee JB
• Kim SJ
• Lee SC
• Won YH

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.

Keyword

Lepromatous leprosy; Leprosy; Rheumatoid arthritis

MeSH Terms

Animals
Appetite
Arthralgia
Arthritis, Rheumatoid*
Atrophy
Extremities
Fatigue
Female
Granuloma
Granulomatous Disease, Chronic
Hand
Histiocytes
Hoof and Claw
Humans
Leprosy
Leprosy, Lepromatous*
Middle Aged
Muscles
Myalgia
Mycobacterium leprae
Peripheral Nervous System Diseases
Physical Examination