Case Report: Necrotizing Erythema Nodosum as a Manifestation of Lepromatous Leprosy Relapse 50 Years after the Initial Infection

Juan Galeano University Hospital of Münster, Münster, Germany;

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Alejandra Contreras Rosario University, Bogotá, Colombia;

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Lorena Pabón Rosario University, Bogotá, Colombia;

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Ana C. Ruiz CES University, Medellín, Colombia;

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Héctor Serrano-Coll Colombian Institute of Tropical Medicine ICMT-CES, Apartadó, Colombia

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Margarita Arboleda Colombian Institute of Tropical Medicine ICMT-CES, Apartadó, Colombia

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ABSTRACT.

Leprosy is a chronic infection caused by Mycobacterium leprae and Mycobacterium lepromatosis that preferentially compromises peripheral nerve, skin, and mucous membranes. Colombia achieved the goal of leprosy elimination in 1997. However, in Urabá (Colombia), there has been an increase in leprosy cases beginning in 2020. This case report shows a leprosy relapse 5 decades after the initial infection debuted as a necrotizing erythema nodosum leprosum. Therefore, long-term follow-up of patients with risk factors for relapse is emphasized, especially those treated before the standard of multidrug therapy (dapsone, clofazimine, and rifampin). This case report stresses the importance the importance of clinical follow-up and surveillance of patients with these events of interest for the public health.

Author Notes

Address correspondence to Margarita Arboleda, Colombian Institute of Tropical Medicine ICMT-CES, Carrera 98 #106-176, Apartadó, Colombia. E-mail: marboleda@ces.edu.co

Data availability: The raw data supporting the conclusions of this article will be made available by the authors, without undue reservation, to any qualified researcher.

Authors’ addresses: Juan Galeano, University Hospital of Münster, Münster, Germany, E-mail: juank996@gmail.com. Alejandra Contreras and Lorena Pabón, Rosario University, Bogotá, Colombia, E-mails: alma_c8@hotmail.com and lore-110@hotmail.com. Ana C. Ruiz, CES University, Medellín, Colombia, E-mail: acruiz@ces.edu.co. Héctor Serrano-Coll and Margarita Arboleda, Colombian Institute of Tropical Medicine ICMT-CES, Apartadó, Colombia, E-mails: hserrano@ces.edu.co and marboleda@ces.edu.co.

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