Lumps and pits: A case of ulcerated erythema nodosum leprosum treated with prednisone and clofazimine.
- Author:
Diane LAGDA
;
Clarisse G. MENDOZA
- Publication Type:Case report
- MeSH: Human; Female; Adult; Adrenal Cortex Hormones; Arthralgia; Clofazimine; Communicable Diseases; Dapsone; Early Diagnosis; Erythema Nodosum; Fever; Immune Complex Diseases; Inflammation; Iridocyclitis; Leprostatic Agents; Leprosy; Myalgia; Mycobacterium Leprae; Prednisone; Rifampin; Ulcer
- From: Journal of the Philippine Dermatological Society 2014;23(1):54-58
- CountryPhilippines
-
Abstract:
Leprosy is a chronic, infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae. One of the main problems faced by clinicians and patients, is the development of leprosy-specific immunologic phenomena known as reactions. Lepra reactions are characterized by acute inflammation that appears suddenly before, during and after treatment of leprosy. When immune reaction increases, serious complications such as irreversible nerve damage, permanent disability, iridocyclitis and other organ involvement may ensue. There are two types of leprosy reactions: type I which is a type IV cell-mediated reaction, and type II lepra reaction, also called erythema nodosum leprosum (ENL), which is a type III hypersensitivity reaction. We report a case of a 37-year-old female who has been diagnosed with lepromatous type of Hansen's Disease and has been treated with multi-drug multibacillary therapy composed of rifampicin 600mg monthly, dapsone 100 mg daily, clofazimine 300 mg monthly and clofazimine 10 mg daily for 18 months. For two years, she has been experiencing recurrent type II lepra reaction which was treated with systemic corticosteroids. Appearance of ulcers with associated myalgia, arthralgia and fever prompted the addition of clofazimine, which is the drug of choice for female patients with childbearing potential. Prednisone was started at 1mg/kg and clofazimine 100mg three times a day for three months, which were subsequently tapered off. We stress the importance of early diagnosis for proper treatment of this condition is important to prevent further complications and other organ involvement.