Unusual presentations of a severe type 2 leprosy reaction mimicking sepsis induced by helminth infection.

Abstract

We describe an unusual case of type 2 leprosy reaction (T2R) with septic shock-like features induced by helminth infection in a 31-year-old Moluccan male patient with a history of completed treatment of WHO multidrug therapy (MDT)-multibacillary (MB) regimen 2 years before admission. During the course of illness, the patient had numerous complications, including septic shock, anemia, and disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). Nevertheless, antibiotic therapies failed to give significant results, and the source of infection could not be identified. Helminth infection was subsequently revealed by endoscopic examination followed by parasitological culture. Resolution of symptoms and normal level of organ function-specific markers were resolved within 3 days following anthelmintic treatment. This report demonstrated the challenge in the diagnosis and treatment of severe T2R. Given that helminth infections may trigger severe T2R that mimics septic shock, health professionals need to be aware of this clinical presentation, especially in endemic regions of both diseases.