Leprosy: A rare case of infectious peripheral neuropathy in the United States

Abstract

Peripheral neuropathy can be the initial presentation of leprosy. Diagnosis can be challenging unless skin manifestations are recognized. Skin biopsy and Fite staining are the keys to the diagnosis. It is important to treat coexisting Lepra reactions, peripheral neuropathy and side effects of the therapeutic agents. This is a complex clinical course of a patient with lepromatous leprosy.

Keywords

• Infectious peripheral neuropathy
• Leprosy/Hansen’s disease
• Lucio’s phenomenon
• Mycobacterium leprae
• Mycobacterium lepromatosis
• Lepra reaction