Kikuchi's disease associated with systemic lupus erythematosus.

A 25-year-old multiparous female presented with fever, joint pains, facial rash and lymphadenopathy of three months' duration. Lymph node biopsy revealed a diagnosis of Kikuchi's disease. She fulfilled seven out of the 11 ARA criteria for SLE. The association of Kikuchi's disease and SLE is rare.

Decreases in mean hemoglobin and serum albumin values in erythema nodosum leprosum and lepromatous leprosy.

Changes in hemoglobin (HGB) and serum albumin (SA) concentration associated with the onset of symptomatic erythema nodosum leprosum (ENL) were studied by comparing the values obtained on the day thalidomide or prednisone therapy commenced, with each patients' preceding values. In three groups of ENL patients mean HGB values fell with statistical significance: 1) in 38 patients who had been begun on thalidomide in the decade of the 1990s and who had been receiving dapsone for a minimum of 6 months, mean HGB values fell from 13.19 gm/dl to 12.27 gm/dl, or 7.0%, p = 6.0 x 10(-6); 2) in 8 patients who were in the active patient file not overlapping with the preceding group, and who had been on dapsone for a minimum of 6 months, mean HGB values feel from 13.40 gm/dl to 11.96 gm/dl, or 10.7%, p = 0.0015; and 3) in 8 patients not overlapping with the preceding groups, who were treated with rifampin and minocylcine or clarithromycin mean HGB values fell from 13.25 gm/dl to 12.48 gm/dl, or 5.8%, p = 0.0035. In two groups of ENL patients SA values also fell with statistical significance: 1) in 34 patients who were begun on thalidomide in the decade of the 1990s and who had been on dapsone for a minimum of 6 months, mean SA values fell from 4.14 gm/dl to 3.77 gm/dl, or 8.9%, p = 1.2 x 10(-5); and 2) in 10 patients from the active file not overlapping with the preceding group, and who had been on dapsone for a minimum of 6 months, mean SA values fell from 4.45 gm/dl to 4.06 gm/dl, or 8.8%, p = 0.039. A brisk fall in HGB values was often accompanied by a fall in SA concentration, and vice versa. Recovery from extreme falls in HGB and SA values was complete in 13 weeks. Recovery occurred in the presence of continued dapsone treatment. The falls could be rapid, occurring too soon to be the result of decreased erythropoiesis or hepatic SA synthesis. This study provides no direct evidence as to the mechanism responsible for the fall in these two parameters, but an interleukin-6 mediated hemodilution is an attractive hypothesis. The ENL-associated fall in HGB values was distinct from dapsone-induced hemolysis and the anemia of chronic disease. The ENL-associated anemia is not a good reason to discontinue dapsone therapy.

Anemia leprosa / Leprosy anemia

Se presentan 3 casos de lepra que acusaban una anemia pronunciada. Durante 2 meses se le sometio a tratamiento con Diasone y se noto una franca mejoria de la anemia. Esto indica que a pesar de que las ulfonas son anemizantes se puede y se debe usarlas despues de haber estudiado e investigado la causa de la anemia.

Iron therapy in severe cutaneous leprosy

Abnormally low haemoglobin readings have been found in patients suffering from leprosy, particularly the lepromatous form, in the absence of intercurrent disease and secondary septic complications. This is particularly, marked in the L2 and L3 cases where patients fail to improve on routine treatment over a prolonged period. Response to Ferri et Ammon. Citrate is immediate and rapid up to a level of about 65-70 percent, and further gain follows the administration of Ferrous Sulphate. Clinical improvement follows the rise in haemoglobin. The haemoglobin curve appears to be an accurate clinical barometer, similar to the Blood Sedimentation Index. Haemoglobin estimations are simpler and take far less time. The possible influence of the diet is indicated. The investigation took place over 14 months, involving 195 persons and including 21 "controls" (Summary)