A Case of New Manifestation of Leprosy Six Months after Immigration to Germany

Sogkas Georgios, Pott Carl-Christoph, Schacht Vivien, Sedlacek Ludwig, Schmidt Reinhold Ernst and Stoll Matthias

1Department of Dermatology, Hannover Medical University, Germany
Department of Medical Microbiology, Hannover Medical University, Germany

^*Correspondance to: Stoll Matthias 

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Abstract:

Leprosy is a chronic infectious disease mainly prevalent in subtropical and tropical areas, caused by Mycobacterium leprae. It typically affects the skin and the peripheral nervous system. Leprosy presents in distinct clinical forms, depending on the immune response, elicited to combat Mycobacterium leprae. We report the case of a previously asymptomatic 28-year-old male from Sudan, who was admitted with since five months appearing progressive bilateral leg and hand edemas. Skin biopsy revealed a multibacillary mycobacterial granulomatous inflammation and molecular analysis for Mycobacterium leprae was positive, confirming the diagnosis of leprosy. This case emphasizes that leprosy can also appear in people from endemic areas immigrating asymptomatic to Europe, several months after immigration.

Keywords:

Leprosy; Mycobacteria; Mycobacterium leprae; Refugee; Migrants; Europe; Germany

Cite the Article:

Georgios S, Carl-Christoph P, Vivien S, Ludwig S, Ernst SR, Matthias S. A Case of New Manifestation of Leprosy Six Months after Immigration to Germany. Ann Clin Case Rep. 2017; 2: 1358.