A case report of borderline lepromatous leprosy: a neglected tropical disease that impairs quality of life

Background: Leprosy is still a neglected disease, and there might still be undetected cases in endemic countries. A concern for individuals with leprosy is the physical disability due to progressive nerve damage, which can have a psychosocial impact on patients and their families. This case illustrates borderline lepromatous with leprosy defects, which will provide an understanding of the spectrum of the disease still found in Indonesia.

Case: A 32-year-old woman presented with a numb white spot on the right cheek with madarosis, decreased sensation in both feet and thickening of the left great auricular magnus nerve. A slit skin smear examination on both ear lobes found a positive bacterial index (IB) and a grade II leprosy defect characterized by ulcers on the feet. This condition caused the patient to quit her job and be unable to perform her usual activities. The patient was treated with multidrug therapy (MDT), multibacillary (MB), neurotrophic vitamins, empiric antibiotics, and wound care. The treatment showed clinical improvement and quality of life.

Conclusion: The main concern in patients with leprosy is physical disability due to progressive nerve damage and the tendency to become dysfunctional. Early detection of leprosy is essential to prevent leprosy disability and transmission of this infection