In vitro and skin lesion cytokine profile in Brazilian patients with borderline tuberculoid and borderline lepromatous leprosy.

OBJECTIVE: We investigated the in vitro and skin lesions production of cytokines in non-treated borderline tuberculoid (BT) and borderline lepromatous (BL) patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Seven untreated, non-reactional BT patients and 12 untreated, non-reactional BL patients were studied. Levels of the cytokines IFN-gamma, IL-10, TGF-beta1 and TNF-alpha were measured in supernantant of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) cultures, stimulated with specific M. leprae antigen (sonicated and whole). The cytokines iNOS, IL-10 and TGF-beta1 were detected by immunohistochemistry in skin biopsies. RESULTS: BT patients produced higher levels of IFN-gamma than BL patients; iNOS expression in skin lesions was also higher in BT patients. TGF-beta1 was detected in more cells in BL patients; IL-10 expression was similar in both groups. There was a negative correlation between iNOS and TGF-beta1 expression in skin biopsies, positive correlation between TGF-beta1 in skin lesions and bacillary index, as well as positive correlation between iNOS detected in skin biopsies and PBMC IFN-gamma production. CONCLUSIONS: The BT patients had a mainly a Th1-profile of cytokines in their skin lesions and BL patients had a Th2 profile.

Severe manifestation of oral pemphigus.

This article describes a case of pemphigus vulgaris in a relatively young patient with exacerbated characteristics, widespread lesions, and rapid evolution. A 40-year-old woman sought treatment, complaining about severe oral pain and dysphagia. Intraoral inspection revealed ulcerated lesions on the lips, buccal mucosa, and floor of the mouth. The number of lesions quickly increased and resembled erythema multiforme. She also presented blistering lesions on the back, abdomen, neck, and eyes. Incisional oral biopsy revealed pemphigus vulgaris. This report emphasizes the importance of early diagnosis of an oral biopsy in systemic diseases and the management of the lesions.

Increased serum levels of interleukin-6 in erythema nodosum leprosum suggest its use as a biomarker.

BACKGROUND: Erythema nodosum leprosum (ENL) is a frequent complication of multibacillary leprosy that can result in significant morbidity, including peripheral nerve damage and physical disability. The identification of possible serum markers could be a valuable tool for the early detection of ENL. AIMS: The purpose of this study was to evaluate selected serum mediators involved in the innate and adaptive immune responses to identify possible immunomarkers for ENL. METHODS: The levels of interleukin-2, interleukin-4, interleukin-6, interleukin-10, interleukin-17, interferon-γ, tumor necrosis factor, nitric oxide and anti-phenolic glycolipid-I antibodies were measured in the sera of leprosy patients with ENL [at the beginning of reaction (M0) and 1 month later (M1)], and then compared with the levels of the same markers in patients with untreated multibacillary leprosy without ENL (controls with leprosy: CTRL) and healthy individuals (healthy controls: CTRH). RESULTS: Significantly higher levels of serum interleukin-6 were observed in M0 than in CTRL. In addition, pairwise comparisons showed higher levels of interleukin-6 in M0 compared to M1. Levels of tumor necrosis factor were higher in M0 than in CTRL, with no significant difference between M0 and M1. There were no differences in the levels of interleukin-2, interleukin-4, interleukin-10, interleukin-17 or interferon-γ between groups. The CTRL group had higher levels of nitric oxide compared to M0 and M1. High levels of anti-phenolic glycolipid-I were observed in M0, M1 and CTRL than in CTRH. LIMITATIONS: Three patients were not assessed at M1, decreasing the number of evaluated patients from 14 to 11. CONCLUSION: High-serum levels of interleukin-6 were observed during ENL, primarily in patients with more severe reactions; levels decreased after specific therapy, suggesting a role for this cytokine in pathogenesis and its utility as an ENL biomarker. Further studies should explore whether interleukin-6 could also be used as a predictive marker for ENL or as a specific target for its treatment.

Impact of health interventions on epidemiological and operational leprosy indicators in a hyperendemic municipality of Brazil.

The study aimed to analyze the impact of health interventions carried out in the city of Palmas, Brazil, on the epidemiological and operational indicators of leprosy between 2007 and 2017. The intervention consisted of training healthcare personnel on the diagnosis and follow-up of patients and organizing the referral of patients to health units. Estimates of the impact were calculated by taking the differences between indicators reported in two equal periods of 1.5 years pre- and post-intervention, with a transition period of six months. During the study period, the database contained 1,875 notifications, with 66% of cases diagnosed in the post-intervention period. There was a predominance of males (52%); aged 50 years or more (34.9%); with mixed ethnicity (63.5%). The low level of education was noticeable, with more than half of the cases (51.7%) reporting illiteracy or ≤ 7 years of education. The intervention resulted in an increase in both, epidemiological and operational indicators, suggesting a positive impact of the intervention on leprosy detection and treatment. Our results also emphasize the need for further studies addressing the impact of pragmatic health interventions aiming at controlling and eliminating the disease.

[Leprosy trends following implementation of an intervention project in a state capital in the North of Brazil, 2002-2016]. / Tendências da hanseníase após implementação de um projeto de intervenção em uma capital da Região Norte do Brasil, 2002-2016.

The project Palmas Free of Leprosy was implemented to improve indicators and deal with the disease, since the capital of Tocantins State is the most hyperendemic state capital in Brazil. This study measures the impact of the project's intervention through trend analysis of the priority indicators in Palmas, from 2002 to 2016. The study was based on an analysis of data from the Brazilian Information System for Notifiable Diseases (SINAN) and reports of applied training courses with problem-solving methodology. The indicators for new leprosy cases in Palmas residents were investigated, and the trends were identified by joinpoint regression analysis to assess the results. In the year the intervention project was implemented (2016), the detection rate for new cases in the overall population was 236.3/100,000 inhabitants, and this indicator showed a significant decrease of -7.5% from 2002 to 2014. From 2014 to 2016, there was a significant increase of 104.6% in overall detection. The detection rate in individuals under 15 years of age also showed a reduction of -4.6%, but in the years 2014, 2015, and 2016 there was an increase of 111.1%, together with detection rates for grades 0, 1, and 2, with 59.3%, 225.2%, and 121.7%, respectively. The proportion of cases detected by contact assessment showed a significant increase of 201.1% from 2014 to 2016. The data proved the effectiveness and potentiality of the project's intervention strategy for the diagnosis and control of leprosy in Palmas. The study provided evidence that timely diagnosis by primary care services results in indicators that reflect the real incidence of cases.

O projeto Palmas Livre da Hanseníase foi implementado para o incremento dos indicadores e o enfrentamento da doença, visto que a capital do Tocantins é a mais hiperendêmica do país. Este estudo mede o impacto da intervenção do projeto por meio da análise da tendência de indicadores prioritários em Palmas, 2002-2016. Baseia-se em análise de dados advindos do Sistema de Informação de Agravos de Notificação (SINAN) e de relatórios de capacitações aplicadas com metodologia de problematização. Os indicadores dos casos novos de hanseníase residentes em Palmas foram investigados, e suas tendências foram identificadas por análise de regressão joinpoint para avaliação dos resultados. No ano de implementação do projeto de intervenção (2016), o coeficiente de detecção de casos novos na população geral foi de 236,3/100 mil habitantes, e esse indicador apresentava decréscimo significativo de -7,5% no período de 2002 a 2014. Nos anos entre 2014 e 2016, houve aumento significativo de 104,6% para a detecção geral. O coeficiente de detecção em menores de 15 anos também apresentava queda de -4,6%, mas nos anos de 2014, 2015 e 2016, houve aumento de 111,1%, juntamente com os coeficientes de detecção de casos com grau 0, 1 e 2, com 59,3%, 225,2% e 121,7%, respectivamente. A proporção de casos detectados por avaliação de contatos teve acréscimo significativo de 201,1% no período de 2014 a 2016. Os dados comprovaram a efetividade e potencialidade da estratégia de intervenção do projeto para as ações de diagnóstico e controle da hanseníase em Palmas. Trouxe evidências de que a agilidade diagnóstica dos serviços de atenção primária resulta em indicadores que refletem a incidência real de casos.

El proyecto Palmas Libre de Hanseniasis se implementó para el incremento de indicadores y combate a la enfermedad, dado que la capital de Tocantins es la más hiperendémica de Brasil. Este estudio mide el impacto de la intervención del proyecto, mediante el análisis de la tendencia de indicadores prioritarios en Palmas, 2002-2016. Se basa en un análisis de datos procedentes del Sistema de Información sobre Enfermedades de Notificación Obligatoria (SINAN por sus siglas en portugués) y de informes de capacitaciones, aplicadas con metodología de problematización. Se investigaron los indicadores de casos nuevos de hanseniasis, en residentes de Palmas, y se identificaron sus tendencias mediante análisis de regresión joinpoint para la evaluación de los resultados. En el año de implementación del proyecto de intervención (2016), el coeficiente de detección de casos nuevos en la población general fue de 236,3/100 mil habitantes, y ese indicador presentaba una disminución significativa de un -7,5%, durante el período de 2002 a 2014. Entre los años de 2014 a 2016, hubo un aumento significativo de un 104,6% en la detección general. El coeficiente de detección en menores de 15 años también presentaba una bajada de -4,6%, pero durante los años de 2014, 2015 y 2016, hubo un aumento de 111,1%, junto a los coeficientes de detección de casos con grado 0, 1 y 2, con un 59,3%, 225,2% y 121,7%, respectivamente. La proporción de casos detectados por la evaluación de contactos tuvo un aumento significativo de un 201,1%, durante el período de 2014 a 2016. Los datos comprobaron la efectividad y potencialidad de la estrategia de intervención del proyecto para las acciones de diagnóstico y control de la hanseniasis en Palmas. Hubo evidencias de que la agilidad diagnóstica de los servicios de atención primaria se traduce en indicadores que reflejan la incidencia real de casos.

Lepromatous leprosy simulating rheumatoid arthritis - Report of a neglected disease.

Brazil has the second largest number of leprosy cases in the world; nevertheless, late diagnosis is common. We report the case of a male patient with pain and numbness in both hands and feet for six years with positive rheumatoid factor and anticardiolipin under rheumatoid arthritis treatment for five years. Examination revealed diffuse cutaneous infiltration and leonine facies, characteristic features of lepromatous leprosy. Autoantibodies such as rheumatoid factor and anticardiolipin are markers of rheumatic autoimmune diseases, but their presence is also described in leprosy. We report the present case in order to alert health professionals to remember leprosy, even in areas where the disease is considered eliminated as a public health problem, avoiding misinterpretations of serologic findings and misdiagnosis.

Immune Checkpoints in Leprosy: Immunotherapy As a Feasible Approach to Control Disease Progression.

Leprosy remains a health problem in several countries. Current management of patients with leprosy is complex and requires multidrug therapy. Nonetheless, antibiotic treatment is insufficient to prevent nerve disabilities and control Mycobacterium leprae. Successful infectious disease treatment demands an understanding of the host immune response against a pathogen. Immune-based therapy is an effective treatment option for malignancies and infectious diseases. A promising therapeutic approach to improve the clinical outcome of malignancies is the blockade of immune checkpoints. Immune checkpoints refer to a wide range of inhibitory or regulatory pathways that are critical for maintaining self-tolerance and modulating the immune response. Programmed cell-death protein-1 (PD-1), programmed cell death ligand-1 (PD-L1), cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein 4, and lymphocyte-activation gene-3 are the most important immune checkpoint molecules. Several pathogens, including M. leprae, are supposed to utilize these mechanisms to evade the host immune response. Regulatory T cells and expression of co-inhibitory molecules on lymphocytes induce specific T-cell anergy/exhaustion, leading to disseminated and progressive disease. From this perspective, we outline how the co-inhibitory molecules PD-1, PD-L1, and Th1/Th17 versus Th2/Treg cells are balanced, how antigen-presenting cell maturation acts at different levels to inhibit T cells and modulate the development of leprosy, and how new interventions interfere with leprosy development.

Clinical and demographic profile of chromoblastomycosis in a referral service in the midwest of São Paulo state (Brazil).

Chromoblastomycosis is one of the most frequent deep mycoses found in rural populations. This cross-sectional, retrospective and descriptive study was conducted with cases of chromoblastomycosis diagnosed throughout 20 years. A higher prevalence was observed among White male rural workers, with an average age of 59.69 years. Median time between onset of symptoms and diagnosis was 156 months. Lesions were predominantly located on the lower limbs; 34% of cases reported previous trauma. The most common associated symptoms were itching, pain and burning sensation. Mycological examination was positive in 91% of cases and Fonsecaea pedrosoi was the most prevalent etiologic agent.

Evaluation of the social, clinical and laboratorial profile of patients diagnosed with leprosy in a reference center in São Paulo.

BACKGROUND: Leprosy is the main infectious cause of disability. It is said to be eradicated in São Paulo since 2005, but diagnosis is still late. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the social, clinical and laboratorial profile of leprosy patients diagnosed between 01/2007 and 12/2011, in a reference center in São Paulo. METHODS: Retrospective descriptive study. Data of all new leprosy cases diagnosed between 01/2007 and 12/2011 were raised in São Paulo. RESULTS: 103 men and 71 women were diagnosed, most of them were multibacillary. Mean age at diagnosis was 49 yrs; 2,2% were children; 70% had incomplete primary education; 50% were referred without diagnostic suspicion of leprosy. Mean time since first symptoms/signs and diagnosis was 2 years; 64% of patients had some degree of disability, and 26% had grade 2. 23 cases were diagnosed only after being summoned, and 80% of these had no disability. Agreement between the Ridley and Jopling and the WHO classification was 75% (kappa index = 0.44). Serology for IgM anti-PGL1 (87 patients) showed a mean value of 0.25, and an association between MB classification and test positivity (p <0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Leprosy diagnosis in São Paulo is late. The disease mainly affected the socially disadvantaged and economically active population. Failure to detect the disease (41% in the last 10 years) could be due to the lack of suspicion and to decentralization. For the classification of patients with advanced leprosy, both the WHO and R&J classifications proved to be helpful tools.

Tuberculoid leprosy presenting as a "racket" lesion.

The "racket" lesion is a rare presentation of tuberculoid leprosy, which consists of a thickened nerve branch emerging from a tuberculoid plaque. It results from centripetal damage to cutaneous nerves caused by granuloma formation. We describe a typical case of tuberculoid leprosy presenting as a "racket" lesion. The lesion persisted after treatment with paucibacillary multidrug therapy.

Surgical treatment of type I neuritis in a teenage boy with borderline tuberculoid leprosy.

Exacerbation of the immune response against Mycobacterium leprae can lead to neuritis, which is commonly treated via immunosuppression with corticosteroids. Early neurolysis may be performed concurrently, especially in young patients with a risk of functional sequelae. We report the case of a young patient experienced intense pain in the left elbow one year after the treatment of tuberculoid-tuberculoid leprosy. The pain was associated with paresthesias in the ulnar edge and left ulnar claw. After evaluation, the diagnosis was changed to borderline tuberculoid leprosy accompanied with neuritis of the left ulnar nerve. Early neurolysis resulted in rapid reduction of the pain and recovery of motor function.

American tegumentary leishmaniasis: correlations among immunological, histopathological and clinical parameters.

BACKGROUND: American tegumentary leishmaniasis has an annual incidence of 1 to 1.5 million cases. In some cases, the patient's immune response can eliminate the parasite, and the lesion spontaneously resolves. However, when this does not occur, patients develop the disseminated form of the disease. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association between clinical, laboratory and pathological findings in cases of American tegumentary leishmaniasis. METHODS: A retrospective study of the medical records of 47 patients with American cutaneous leishmaniasis. Clinical, laboratory and epidemiological data were collected, and semi-quantitative histopathological analyses were performed using the Spearman correlation coefficient (p <0.05). RESULTS: Mean patient age was 40.5 years. A total of 29.7% individuals were female and 70.2% were male, and 40.4% of the patients were farmers. The ulcerative form was found in 53.2% of patients, of whom 59.6% had lesions in the limbs. The average time to diagnosis was 22.3 months. The following positive correlations were significant: age and duration of the disease, Montenegro reaction, degree of granulomatous transformation and epithelioid cell count; duration of disease, Montenegro reaction and number of lymphocytes; epithelial hyperplasia and edema, hemorrhaging, and epithelial aggression; number of plasmocytes and number of parasites. The main negative correlations found were as follows: age and serology; time and parasite load; epithelial hyperplasia and degree of granulomatous transformation. CONCLUSION: The long duration of the disease could be explained by the fact that lesions were relatively asymptomatic, and therefore ignored by patients with low literacy levels. Individuals may have simply waited for spontaneous healing, which proved to be dependent on the activation of hypersensitivity mechanisms.

Tendências da hanseníase após implementação de um projeto de intervenção em uma capital da Região Norte do Brasil, 2002-2016 / Leprosy trends following implementation of an intervention project in a state capital in the North of Brazil, 2002-2016 / Tendencias de la hanseniasis tras la implementación de un proyecto de intervención en una capital de la región norte de Brasil, 2002-2016

Resumo: O projeto Palmas Livre da Hanseníase foi implementado para o incremento dos indicadores e o enfrentamento da doença, visto que a capital do Tocantins é a mais hiperendêmica do país. Este estudo mede o impacto da intervenção do projeto por meio da análise da tendência de indicadores prioritários em Palmas, 2002-2016. Baseia-se em análise de dados advindos do Sistema de Informação de Agravos de Notificação (SINAN) e de relatórios de capacitações aplicadas com metodologia de problematização. Os indicadores dos casos novos de hanseníase residentes em Palmas foram investigados, e suas tendências foram identificadas por análise de regressão joinpoint para avaliação dos resultados. No ano de implementação do projeto de intervenção (2016), o coeficiente de detecção de casos novos na população geral foi de 236,3/100 mil habitantes, e esse indicador apresentava decréscimo significativo de -7,5% no período de 2002 a 2014. Nos anos entre 2014 e 2016, houve aumento significativo de 104,6% para a detecção geral. O coeficiente de detecção em menores de 15 anos também apresentava queda de -4,6%, mas nos anos de 2014, 2015 e 2016, houve aumento de 111,1%, juntamente com os coeficientes de detecção de casos com grau 0, 1 e 2, com 59,3%, 225,2% e 121,7%, respectivamente. A proporção de casos detectados por avaliação de contatos teve acréscimo significativo de 201,1% no período de 2014 a 2016. Os dados comprovaram a efetividade e potencialidade da estratégia de intervenção do projeto para as ações de diagnóstico e controle da hanseníase em Palmas. Trouxe evidências de que a agilidade diagnóstica dos serviços de atenção primária resulta em indicadores que refletem a incidência real de casos.

Abstract: The project Palmas Free of Leprosy was implemented to improve indicators and deal with the disease, since the capital of Tocantins State is the most hyperendemic state capital in Brazil. This study measures the impact of the project's intervention through trend analysis of the priority indicators in Palmas, from 2002 to 2016. The study was based on an analysis of data from the Brazilian Information System for Notifiable Diseases (SINAN) and reports of applied training courses with problem-solving methodology. The indicators for new leprosy cases in Palmas residents were investigated, and the trends were identified by joinpoint regression analysis to assess the results. In the year the intervention project was implemented (2016), the detection rate for new cases in the overall population was 236.3/100,000 inhabitants, and this indicator showed a significant decrease of -7.5% from 2002 to 2014. From 2014 to 2016, there was a significant increase of 104.6% in overall detection. The detection rate in individuals under 15 years of age also showed a reduction of -4.6%, but in the years 2014, 2015, and 2016 there was an increase of 111.1%, together with detection rates for grades 0, 1, and 2, with 59.3%, 225.2%, and 121.7%, respectively. The proportion of cases detected by contact assessment showed a significant increase of 201.1% from 2014 to 2016. The data proved the effectiveness and potentiality of the project's intervention strategy for the diagnosis and control of leprosy in Palmas. The study provided evidence that timely diagnosis by primary care services results in indicators that reflect the real incidence of cases.

Resumen: El proyecto Palmas Libre de Hanseniasis se implementó para el incremento de indicadores y combate a la enfermedad, dado que la capital de Tocantins es la más hiperendémica de Brasil. Este estudio mide el impacto de la intervención del proyecto, mediante el análisis de la tendencia de indicadores prioritarios en Palmas, 2002-2016. Se basa en un análisis de datos procedentes del Sistema de Información sobre Enfermedades de Notificación Obligatoria (SINAN por sus siglas en portugués) y de informes de capacitaciones, aplicadas con metodología de problematización. Se investigaron los indicadores de casos nuevos de hanseniasis, en residentes de Palmas, y se identificaron sus tendencias mediante análisis de regresión joinpoint para la evaluación de los resultados. En el año de implementación del proyecto de intervención (2016), el coeficiente de detección de casos nuevos en la población general fue de 236,3/100 mil habitantes, y ese indicador presentaba una disminución significativa de un -7,5%, durante el período de 2002 a 2014. Entre los años de 2014 a 2016, hubo un aumento significativo de un 104,6% en la detección general. El coeficiente de detección en menores de 15 años también presentaba una bajada de -4,6%, pero durante los años de 2014, 2015 y 2016, hubo un aumento de 111,1%, junto a los coeficientes de detección de casos con grado 0, 1 y 2, con un 59,3%, 225,2% y 121,7%, respectivamente. La proporción de casos detectados por la evaluación de contactos tuvo un aumento significativo de un 201,1%, durante el período de 2014 a 2016. Los datos comprobaron la efectividad y potencialidad de la estrategia de intervención del proyecto para las acciones de diagnóstico y control de la hanseniasis en Palmas. Hubo evidencias de que la agilidad diagnóstica de los servicios de atención primaria se traduce en indicadores que reflejan la incidencia real de casos.

Angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis in the spectrum of leprosy and its reactional forms.

BACKGROUND: Angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis are the processes of neovascularization that evolve from preexisting blood and lymphatic vessels. There are few studies on angiogenesis and none on lymphangiogenesis in leprosy. Thus, the role of neovascularization in the pathophysiological mechanisms of the disease was studied across the spectrum of leprosy, its reactional states and its residual lesions. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Seventy-six biopsies of leprosy skin lesions and seven healthy controls were selected. Fifty-five serum samples were used for the detection of CD105 by ELISA. Histological sections were stained with antibodies against CD31 (blood and lymphatic vessels), D2-40/podoplanin (lymphatic vessels), and CD105/endoglin (neovessels). Microvessels were counted in 100 high-power fields (400x) and the number of vessels was evaluated in relation to the extension of the inflammatory infiltrate (0-3), to the bacillary index (0-6) and to the clinical forms. Angiogenesis, as marked by CD31 and CD105, was observed across the leprosy spectrum, compared with the controls. Additionally, there was a positive correlation between these markers with extension of the infiltrate (p <0.0001). For D2/40, lymphangiogenesis was observed in the tuberculoid form (p <0.0001). There was no statistical significance for values of CD105 detected in plasma by ELISA. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: Angiogenesis is present across the spectrum of leprosy and in its reactional forms. The increase in the number of vessels, as detected by CD31 and CD105 staining, is related to the extension of the inflammatory infiltrate. Samples from reactional lesions have a higher number of CD31+ and CD105+ stained vessels, which indicates their involvement in the pathophysiological mechanisms of the reactional states. The regression of lesions is accompanied by the regression of neovascularization. Drugs inhibiting angiogenesis may be relevant in the treatment of leprosy, in addition to multidrugtherapy, and in the prevention of the development of reactions.

Primary neural leprosy: systematic review.

The authors proposed a systematic review on the current concepts of primary neural leprosy by consulting the following online databases: MEDLINE, Lilacs/SciELO, and Embase. Selected studies were classified based on the degree of recommendation and levels of scientific evidence according to the "Oxford Centre for Evidence-based Medicine". The following aspects were reviewed: cutaneous clinical and laboratorial investigations, i.e. skin clinical exam, smears, and biopsy, and Mitsuda's reaction; neurological investigation (anamnesis, electromyography and nerve biopsy); serological investigation and molecular testing, i.e. serological testing for the detection of the phenolic glycolipid 1 (PGL-I) and the polymerase chain reaction (PCR); and treatment (classification criteria for the definition of specific treatment, steroid treatment, and cure criteria).

Case for diagnosis.

Lipomas are common benign mesenchymal tumors composed of mature fat cells that may or may not be surrounded by a thin, fibrous capsule. The link with trauma has already been described. Lipomas involving the fingers are extremely rare but must be considered in the differential diagnosis of benign soft tissue masses in this particular location.

Neural relapse in multibacillary leprosy 6 years after end of treatment.

This article presents a case of relapse, with isolated neural manifestation, in a multibacillary patient previously treated with multidrug therapy for multibacillary leprosy (24 doses). The patient returned to the service six years after the end of treatment, with pain in hands and legs. He was investigated, and the serological monitoring showed an important increase in anti-phenolic glycolipid serum levels. A neural recurrence was suspected, since the patient had no new skin lesions. A new biopsy in the right ulnar nerve showed a bacilloscopy of 2 +, compatible with relapse. This is a literature review of the etiological, clinical, propedeutical and diagnostic aspects of this situation so poorly understood.

Lepromatous leprosy simulating rheumatoid arthritis - Report of a neglected disease

Abstract Brazil has the second largest number of leprosy cases in the world; nevertheless, late diagnosis is common. We report the case of a male patient with pain and numbness in both hands and feet for six years with positive rheumatoid factor and anticardiolipin under rheumatoid arthritis treatment for five years. Examination revealed diffuse cutaneous infiltration and leonine facies, characteristic features of lepromatous leprosy. Autoantibodies such as rheumatoid factor and anticardiolipin are markers of rheumatic autoimmune diseases, but their presence is also described in leprosy. We report the present case in order to alert health professionals to remember leprosy, even in areas where the disease is considered eliminated as a public health problem, avoiding misinterpretations of serologic findings and misdiagnosis.