Hansen's disease, a condition to be remembered

Abstract

Leprosy is a chronic granulomatous disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae, which mainly affects the skin, mucous membranes, and the peripheral nervous system. Despite the marked global reduction in the prevalence of the disease, the latest available data, referring to 2019, report six cases of leprosy in Portugal. In this report, we describe a case of borderline tuberculoid leprosy that was diagnosed initially as dermatophytosis and psoriasis. With the increase in international travelling, the disease can arise in any country. This case highlights the value of clinical suspicion in countries where the disease is less prevalent, particularly in individuals from endemic regions.

Keywords

• Leprosy/diagnosis. Leprosy. Tuberculoid. Mycobacterium leprae.