Leprosy and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) share many clinical and laboratory characteristics. Azulay coined the term “autoaggressive hanseniasis” (AH) to describe multibacillary leprosy cases exhibiting clinical and immunologic features reminiscent of autoaggressive connective tissue diseases. This article presents the case of a 20-year-old Nepalese woman diagnosed with borderline lepromatous leprosy, demonstrating both clinical and laboratory evidence of autoimmune connective tissue disease. Treatment comprising a multidrug leprosy regimen alongside thalidomide and corticosteroids led to a remarkable clinical improvement. The discussion emphasizes the importance of recognizing rheumatic symptoms in leprosy cases, thereby averting misdiagnosis with autoimmune disorders, and underscores the therapeutic efficacy of thalidomide. Furthermore, we endeavor to address the diagnostic challenge surrounding autoaggressive hanseniasis in contemporary practice, pondering whether it represents a distinct clinical entity or manifests as multibacillary leprosy with clinical-serological evidence of autoimmune connective tissue diseases.
BT - Indian Journal of Leprosy LA - ENG M3 - Case Report N2 -Leprosy and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) share many clinical and laboratory characteristics. Azulay coined the term “autoaggressive hanseniasis” (AH) to describe multibacillary leprosy cases exhibiting clinical and immunologic features reminiscent of autoaggressive connective tissue diseases. This article presents the case of a 20-year-old Nepalese woman diagnosed with borderline lepromatous leprosy, demonstrating both clinical and laboratory evidence of autoimmune connective tissue disease. Treatment comprising a multidrug leprosy regimen alongside thalidomide and corticosteroids led to a remarkable clinical improvement. The discussion emphasizes the importance of recognizing rheumatic symptoms in leprosy cases, thereby averting misdiagnosis with autoimmune disorders, and underscores the therapeutic efficacy of thalidomide. Furthermore, we endeavor to address the diagnostic challenge surrounding autoaggressive hanseniasis in contemporary practice, pondering whether it represents a distinct clinical entity or manifests as multibacillary leprosy with clinical-serological evidence of autoimmune connective tissue diseases.
PY - 2024 SP - 335 EP - 342 T2 - Indian Journal of Leprosy TI - Leprosy and Lupus: Concurrence or Epiphenomenon UR - https://www.ijl.org.in/published-articles/28122024074345/10.pdf ER -