Lucio's Phenomenon, a rare complication of leprosy
case report
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47456/rbps.v26i1.51119Keywords:
Leprosy, Lucio's Phenomenon, Ulcerative lesionAbstract
Introduction: Leprosy is a chronic granulomatous infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae, an intracellular microorganism that primarily affects the skin and nerves. Its chronic course can be interrupted by immune episodes of acute inflammation, known as leprosy reactions. Case Report: This describes a clinical case of Lucio's Phenomenon, a complication of leprosy, in a patient with irregular erythematous lesions that rapidly progressed to gangrenous ulcerations with tendon and muscle exposure, and diagnosis confirmation through a biopsy of the skin lesions. Conclusion: The relevance of the topic lies in the fact that Lúcio's phenomenon is a rare and potentially fatal condition of leprosy. Therefore, the aim is to expand the understanding of this manifestation of the disease, contributing to better chances of success in treatment and improving the prognosis for these patients.
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