Early diagnosis of relapse in borderline leprosy: two case reports

Authors

  • Maria Luiza Figueiredo Braga Brandão UFRJ; University Hospital; Dermatology and Anatomopathology Services
  • Cíntia Maria Oliveira Lima UFRJ; University Hospital; Dermatology and Anatomopathology Services
  • Juan Piñeiro-Maceira UFRJ; University Hospital; Dermatology and Anatomopathology Services
  • Alice Miranda FIOCRUZ; Lab. Hansen 's Disease
  • M.Leide W. de Oliveira UFRJ; University Hospital; Dermatology and Anatomopathology Services

Keywords:

Leprosy, Relapse, Borderline leprosy

Abstract

Two cases of relapse in borderline leprosy were reported. Despite the late-reversal, reaction-like feature, the suspicion of relapse in both was based on persistent and slow-developing skin lesions and an absence of acute neuritis or reaction during one year of follow-up. The authors have considered this possible occurrence in lepromatous borderline-treated patients after their immune cellular restoration and defend that not all Type 1 reactions would be an inflammatory answer to persistent Mycobacterium leprae, but that they could be. Therefore, a relapse diagnosis could be applied and it is more advisable, as one year of Multi-Drug Therapy (MDT) is less dangerous and more efficient for these cases than one year of corticosteroids.

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Published

2011-12-01

Issue

Section

Case Report

How to Cite

Brandão, M. L. F. B., Lima, C. M. O., Piñeiro-Maceira, J., Miranda, A., & Oliveira, M. W. de. (2011). Early diagnosis of relapse in borderline leprosy: two case reports . Revista Do Instituto De Medicina Tropical De São Paulo, 53(6), 341-343. https://revistas.usp.br/rimtsp/article/view/31433