Abstract

DIAZ-RAMIREZ, Gabriel Sebastián; MORALES-PLAZA, Cristhian David  and  MATTA-CORTES, Lorena. Immune-complex glomerulonephritis in a patient with leprosy. Infect. [online]. 2017, vol.21, n.1, pp.51-55. ISSN 0123-9392.  https://doi.org/10.22354/in.v21i1.641.

Leprosy is a disease whose manifestations are seen in the skin and at the peripheral neurological level. It has been known for centuries and remains a public health problem worldwide; however its prevalence has declined after the introduction of multidrug treatment schemes. In Colombia leprosy is not considered a public health problem because of its low incidence. Multisystem compromise is common, especially in multibacillary forms, with the articular and renal systems commonly affected; although these effects are often overlooked. We report a patient with lepromatous leprosy who presented immune-mediated glomerulonephritis and polyarticular impairment secondary to erythaema nodosum leprosum. There is no awareness on the part of health personnel on the characteristics of the disease and in many cases are believed eradicated. This case illustrates the importance of early recognition and timely treatment to prevent disability associated.

Keywords : Leprosy; Lepromatous leprae; Mycobacterium leprae; Glomerulonefritis; Complications.

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