Leper reactions simulating cutaneous vasculitis Report of 3 cases and literature review

  • Rosalba Riveros Universidad Nacional de Asunción. Hospital de Clínicas. Cátedra de Dermatología. San Lorenzo, Paraguay
  • Romina Contreras Universidad Nacional de Asunción. Hospital de Clínicas. Cátedra de Dermatología. San Lorenzo, Paraguay
  • Gloria Galeano Universidad Nacional de Asunción. Hospital de Clínicas. Cátedra de Dermatología. San Lorenzo, Paraguay
  • Beatriz Di Martino Ortiz Universidad Nacional de Asunción. Hospital de Clínicas. Cátedra de Dermatología. San Lorenzo, Paraguay
  • Mirtha Rodríguez Universidad Nacional de Asunción. Hospital de Clínicas. Cátedra de Dermatología. San Lorenzo, Paraguay
  • Lourdes Bolla Universidad Nacional de Asunción. Hospital de Clínicas. Cátedra de Dermatología. San Lorenzo, Paraguay
Keywords: leprosy, vasculonecrotic reactions, Lucio phenomenon, necrotic erythema nodosumm leprosum, vasculitis

Abstract

Leprosy is a chronic infectious disease with a broad spectrum of clinical manifestations. Luciophenomenon and necrotic erythema nodosum leprosum are two vasculonecrotic reactions that can mimic cutaneous vasculitis in leprosy. Although they can be distinguished through clinical and histopathological features, both are often used as synonyms. Lucio Phenomenon, a severe immunecomplex mediated skin reaction, is a necrotizing skin condition that occurs in patients with non-nodular or diffuse leprosy which occurs in patients with little or no resistance to infection. Vasculonecrotic reactions due to erythema nodosum occur in other forms of leprosy different from the diffuse form.

We present the case of 3 patients with lepromatous leprosy who presented vasculonecrotic reactions. The differential diagnosis between Lucio phenomenon and necrotic erythema nodosum leprosum is important since both entities have different treatments. In a patient with cutaneous vasculitic lesions, infectious etiologies including leprosy, should always be considered.

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References

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Published
2019-06-30
How to Cite
1.
Riveros R, Contreras R, Galeano G, Di Martino Ortiz B, Rodríguez M, Bolla L. Leper reactions simulating cutaneous vasculitis Report of 3 cases and literature review. Rev. parag. reumatol. [Internet]. 2019Jun.30 [cited 2025Mar.15];5(1):33-8. Available from: https://revista.spr.org.py/index.php/spr/article/view/102
Section
CASE REPORTS