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Driedger M, Teo I, Roth V. Leprosy with type 1 reaction in a patient from Ontario, Canada without recent travel misdiagnosed as vasculitic neuropathy: a case report. BMC Infect Dis 2023; 23:815. [PMID: 37990293 PMCID: PMC10662535 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-023-08811-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2023] [Accepted: 11/10/2023] [Indexed: 11/23/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Leprosy is rare within non-endemic countries such as Canada, where cases are almost exclusively imported from endemic regions, often presenting after an incubation period of as many as 20 years. Due to its rarity and prolonged incubation period, diagnosis is often delayed, which may result in neurologic impairment prior to the initiation of treatment. In this report we describe a case that is novel in its incubation period, which is the longest reported to-date and may have contributed to diagnostic delay. The case also uniquely demonstrates the challenges of distinguishing leprosy reactions from new rheumatologic manifestations in a patient with established autoimmune disease. CASE PRESENTATION We describe an 84-year-old male patient with rheumatoid arthritis on methotrexate and hydroxychloroquine, with no travel history outside Canada for 56 years, who presented in 2019 with new-onset paresthesias and rash. His paresthesias persisted despite a short course of prednisone, and his rash recurred after initial improvement. He underwent skin biopsy in May 2021, which eventually led to the diagnosis of leprosy. He was diagnosed with type 1 reaction and was started on rifampin, dapsone, clofazimine and prednisone, with which his rash resolved but his neurologic impairment remained. CONCLUSION This case report serves to highlight the potential for leprosy to present after markedly prolonged incubation periods. This is especially relevant in non-endemic countries that is home to an aging demographic of individuals who migrated decades ago from endemic countries. The importance of this concept is emphasized by the persistent neurologic impairment suffered by our case due to untreated type 1 reaction. We also demonstrate the necessity of skin biopsy in distinguishing this diagnosis from other autoimmune mimics in a patient with known autoimmune disease.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Iris Teo
- University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Division of Anatomical Pathology, The Ottawa Hospital, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Virginia Roth
- University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- The Ottawa Hospital, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- The Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
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Cruz VA, de Albuquerque CP, Guimarães MFBDR, Dionello CDF, Ribeiro SLE, de Souza VA, Gomes CM, da Mota LMH. New insights at the interface between leprosy and immune-mediated rheumatic diseases. Front Med (Lausanne) 2023; 10:1239775. [PMID: 37822467 PMCID: PMC10564075 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2023.1239775] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2023] [Accepted: 08/23/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Leprosy is an infectious and contagious disease of slow evolution, triggered by Mycobacterium leprae. Arthritis is its third most common manifestation, after cutaneous and peripheral nerve involvement. Since musculoskeletal symptoms may be the initial presentation of the disease, it is important for health professionals to recognize its rheumatic manifestations for early diagnosis and appropriate treatment, especially in endemic areas. In addition, cases of leprosy have increased globally, notably in patients undergoing treatment with TNF-α blockers and due to the increase in migration and travel of people from developing countries to developed countries. This review proposes to discuss the main scenarios of mimicry of different rheumatic diseases by leprosy, as well as the role of immunosuppressive drugs used in rheumatology practice in the treatment of reactional states and in the risk of developing the infection.
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Beltrame A, Fargnoli MC, Avanzi C, Sollima L, Pomari E, Mori A, Longoni SS, Moro L, Orza P, Jackson M, Perandin F. Leprosy in an Adopted Woman Diagnosed by Molecular Tools: A Case Report from a Non-Endemic Area. Pathogens 2023; 12:pathogens12020165. [PMID: 36839437 PMCID: PMC9963898 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12020165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2022] [Revised: 01/13/2023] [Accepted: 01/17/2023] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Coupled with its rarity in non-endemic areas, the clinical heterogeneity of leprosy makes diagnosis very challenging. We report a diagnosis of multibacillary leprosy in a 22-year-old Indian woman, adopted at the age of 10 and living in Italy. The patient presented with painful skin lesions on the face, trunk, and lower and upper extremities, associated with dysesthesia and a motor deficit in her left leg following corticosteroid therapy interruption. Histopathology results from the skin lesions suggested leprosy, but no acid-fast bacilli were identified. Molecular biology in a center specializing in tropical diseases confirmed the diagnosis, allowing prompt and adequate treatment. Genotype analysis allowed the identification of a genotype 1D of M. leprae, facilitating the epidemiological investigation of the plausible infection origin. No resistances to rifampicin, dapsone, or ofloxacin were detected. Leprosy will continue to exist in high-income nations, and the incidence may rise over time due to increasing migration and globalization. CARE guidelines were followed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Beltrame
- Department of Infectious—Tropical Diseases and Microbiology, I.R.C.C.S. Sacro Cuore Don Calabria Hospital, Negrar di Valpolicella, 37024 Verona, Italy
- College of Public Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33612, USA
- Correspondence:
| | - Maria Concetta Fargnoli
- Dermatology Unit, Ospedale San Salvatore, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L’Aquila, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy
| | - Charlotte Avanzi
- Mycobacteria Research Laboratories, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA
| | - Laura Sollima
- Pathology Unit, Ospedale San Salvatore, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy
| | - Elena Pomari
- Department of Infectious—Tropical Diseases and Microbiology, I.R.C.C.S. Sacro Cuore Don Calabria Hospital, Negrar di Valpolicella, 37024 Verona, Italy
| | - Antonio Mori
- Department of Infectious—Tropical Diseases and Microbiology, I.R.C.C.S. Sacro Cuore Don Calabria Hospital, Negrar di Valpolicella, 37024 Verona, Italy
| | - Silvia Stefania Longoni
- Department of Infectious—Tropical Diseases and Microbiology, I.R.C.C.S. Sacro Cuore Don Calabria Hospital, Negrar di Valpolicella, 37024 Verona, Italy
| | - Lucia Moro
- Department of Infectious—Tropical Diseases and Microbiology, I.R.C.C.S. Sacro Cuore Don Calabria Hospital, Negrar di Valpolicella, 37024 Verona, Italy
| | - Pierantonio Orza
- Department of Infectious—Tropical Diseases and Microbiology, I.R.C.C.S. Sacro Cuore Don Calabria Hospital, Negrar di Valpolicella, 37024 Verona, Italy
| | - Mary Jackson
- Mycobacteria Research Laboratories, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA
| | - Francesca Perandin
- Department of Infectious—Tropical Diseases and Microbiology, I.R.C.C.S. Sacro Cuore Don Calabria Hospital, Negrar di Valpolicella, 37024 Verona, Italy
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Liu J, Wyver S, Chutiyami M. Impacts of COVID-19 Restrictions on Young Children's Outdoor Activity: A Systematic Review. CHILDREN (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 9:children9101564. [PMID: 36291500 PMCID: PMC9600871 DOI: 10.3390/children9101564] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2022] [Revised: 10/13/2022] [Accepted: 10/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
We sought to identify and synthesise available evidence to aid the understanding of the impact that COVID-19 restrictions had on the outdoor activity of children aged from birth to 12 years. Seven databases (Education Research Complete, ERIC, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, SPORTDiscus, Psychology and Behavioural Sciences Collection, WHO COVID-19 Database) were searched for relevant journal articles in English published from 2020 on. Four qualitative and eleven quantitative studies were included after screening. JBI’s Critical Appraisal Tools were used for quality assessment. All qualitative studies showed an increase in outdoor activity. Less than half of the quantitative studies indicated an increase. Family demography, home characteristics, access to outdoor spaces, and parental support/encouragement/co-play were influential factors. The evidence also supports the recommendation for educators to increase children’s outdoor play time to adhere to the physical distancing guidance and sanitisation requirements. Limited evidence suggests that when COVID-19 restrictions led to decreased outdoor activity, it was associated with less peer socialisation. We identified significant gaps in understanding of the impact of COVID-19 restrictions on young children’s outdoor activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junjie Liu
- Macquarie School of Education, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia
- Correspondence:
| | - Shirley Wyver
- Macquarie School of Education, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia
| | - Muhammad Chutiyami
- Macquarie School of Education, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia
- School of Nursing and Midwifery, Faculty of Health, University of Technology, Sydney, NSW 2007, Australia
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Feitosa MSC, Santos GPJ, Cerqueira SRPS, Rodrigues GL, da Mota LMH, Gomes CM. Can Leprosy Reaction States Mimic Symptoms of Fibromyalgia? A Cross-Sectional Analytical Study. Front Med (Lausanne) 2022; 9:870584. [PMID: 35547233 PMCID: PMC9082667 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2022.870584] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2022] [Accepted: 03/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Leprosy causes significant pain in affected patients, especially those experiencing reactional states. Fibromyalgia is characterized by widespread pain and is often accompanied by fatigue. Confusion between the clinical manifestations of fibromyalgia and those of leprosy reactions is possible at the primary care level, the first contact with the health system in most cases. We aimed to determine whether the presence of leprosy reactional states is related to the development of signs and symptoms included in the case definition of fibromyalgia and establish recommendations for obtaining the correct diagnosis. We performed a cross-sectional study in which the main independent variable was the presence of any leprosy reactional state and the primary dependent variable was the diagnosis of fibromyalgia according to the 2016 Revisions of the 2010/2011Fibromyalgia Provisional Criteria of the American College of Rheumatology. Forty-three patients were included in the study. Twenty-eight (65.12%) patients had a type I reactional state, only 1 (2.33%) had an isolated type II reactional state, and 5 (11.63%) had both type I and type II reactional states. Only 2 patients who suffered from cooccurring type I and II reactional states obtained sufficient scores for the diagnosis of fibromyalgia. Although diffuse pain was common in leprosy patients, none of the types of reactional states were associated with a higher frequency of criteria for fibromyalgia. We can conclude that a leprosy reactional state is probably not a risk factor for fibromyalgia but can act as a confounder, as tender points may be similar in both diagnoses. In patients diagnosed with fibromyalgia, leprosy must be considered in the differential diagnosis in endemic regions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Gabriel Lima Rodrigues
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Médicas, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Brasília, Brasilia, Brazil
| | - Licia Maria Henrique da Mota
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Médicas, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Brasília, Brasilia, Brazil.,Programa de Pós-Graduação em Patologia Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Brasília, Brasilia, Brazil
| | - Ciro Martins Gomes
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Brasília, Brasilia, Brazil.,Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Médicas, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Brasília, Brasilia, Brazil.,Programa de Pós-Graduação em Patologia Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Brasília, Brasilia, Brazil
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