- A man presented with circular red patches and a claw-like hand, ultimately diagnosed with leprosy.
- Leprosy, a rare and stigmatized disease, affected only about 150 people in the US last year and is curable.
A young man in his 20s sought medical help for ring-shaped patches on his body. Initially, tests yielded no answers, but further examination revealed leprosy, a treatable but stigmatized disease.
The man’s raised patches were devoid of sensation, exhibiting a unique prickling feeling. In addition, his claw-like hand and difficulty in foot movement were indicative of advanced symptoms.
After laboratory analysis of a sample from one of the patches, leprosy was confirmed as the diagnosis.
Leprosy, although rare in the US, continues to carry a social stigma in many parts of the world, leading to delays in treatment despite its curability.
Understanding Leprosy: Causes and Effects
Leprosy, or Hansen’s disease, stems from the bacteria Mycobacterium lepromatosis. Each year, approximately 150 people contract leprosy in the United States, and globally the number reaches around 250,000 cases.
Transmission of leprosy occurs through droplets expelled from the nose and mouth, as well as prolonged close contact with an infected individual, according to the World Health Organization.
Symptoms of leprosy may take years to manifest, but if left untreated, nerve damage can occur. This patient experienced nerve-related issues in the hands and feet, as well as potential complications in the eyes and upper respiratory tract.
Fortunately, efforts are underway to eradicate leprosy globally. Progress has been made, with 45 countries reporting zero new cases in 2019 and 99 reporting fewer than 1000 new cases. However, countries like Samoa, where this patient resides, still face challenges in controlling the disease.
The Current State of Leprosy: Treatable and Controllable
Leprosy is one of the oldest known infectious diseases, once perceived as highly contagious and incurable. However, today it is a curable condition that, if detected early, has no long-term consequences.
With timely treatment, patients are no longer contagious, and many recover without lasting disabilities. In this particular case, the patient received a 12-month antibiotic regimen alongside medication for nerve pain. Substantial improvements were observed within two months, and the patient also underwent corrective surgery for nerve damage in the hand.
At the time of the last examination, the patient had completed a significant portion of the antibiotics, successfully undergone hand surgery, and was on the path to full recovery.
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