[A case of Hansen's disease seen in an Indonesian resident, and tracing of the patient after coming back to Indonesia].

Abstract

A 26-year-old Indonesian male living in Japan consulted our hospital with complaint of fever, general malaise and infiltrative erythematous plaques associated with lymph node swelling. Physical examination revealed a sensation disorder in the distal portion of the extremities and hypertrophy of peripheral nerves. Histopathology of the skin lesion showed the multifocal granulomatous inflammation containing many acid-fast bacilli associated with infiltration of foam cells and neutrophils. Under the diagnosis of leprosy (LL type) accompanied by erythema nodosum leprosum, the combined chemotherapy (clofazimine, rifampicin, and diphenyl sulfone) was started. For the leprosy reaction, short-term administration of the systemic steroid was added. The general condition was carried out soon, and the sensation disorder has also been gradually improved. The patient came back to Indonesia after 6 months treatment because of the time limit of visa. We traced the patient's condition through personal networks, and knew that the patient could not have continual treatment for the disease, and that he is suffering from disability of hands and feet. In this case, several medical facilities were consulted before the final diagnosis of leprosy. The Japanese medical doctors should also remember this disease when they examine persons with infiltrative skin eruptions and sensation disorders.

• Authors: Yuji Horiguchi, Tatsuro Kishi, Motoaki Ozaki, Nobuyuki Oka, Sinzo Izumi
• Journal: Nihon Hansenbyo Gakkai zasshi = Japanese journal of leprosy : official organ of the Japanese Leprosy Association (Nihon Hansenbyo Gakkai Zasshi) Vol. 72 Issue 3 Pg. 259-62 (Aug 2003) ISSN: 1342-3681 [Print] Japan
• PMID: 14598635 (Publication Type: Case Reports, English Abstract, Journal Article)

Topics

• Adult
• Follow-Up Studies
• Humans
• Indonesia (ethnology)
• Japan
• Leper Colonies
• Leprosy (diagnosis, drug therapy, pathology, rehabilitation)
• Male