Case Report: Recurrent Type 2 Leprosy Reaction Associated with Multiple Nerve Function Impairments Refractory to Steroids: A Therapeutic Challenge.

Abstract

Nerve function impairment (NFI) in leprosy results in serious deformities of the face, hands, and feet and contributes significantly to the stigma associated with the disease. Most literature on NFI focuses on either type 1 reaction-associated NFI, or the silent neuropathy, whereas NFI associated with type 2 reaction (T2R) is less well researched. The latter, however, can be more refractory to conventional treatment, not solely owing to its recurrent nature. We present a therapeutically challenging case of a 31-year-old male with borderline lepromatous leprosy with recurrent T2R associated with recurrent and progressive sensorimotor NFI, largely unresponsive to oral steroids and multibacillary, multidrug therapy.