A Case of Recurrent Rash and Leg Numbness Mimicking Systemic Rheumatic Disease

Leprosy, a rare chronic granulomatous communicable disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae, is classically known to have cutaneous and neurologic sequelae. As a result of immigration, the disease, endemic in Brazil, India, Nepal, Madagascar, Myanmar, and Indonesia, has been recognized to be present in North America and the Caribbean. We describe a case of a woman presenting with a long history of a recurrent rash and leg numbness, initially diagnosed with systemic lupus, who was later proven to have lepromatous leprosy. It is a reminder that this underappreciated disease should still be considered in the differential diagnosis of skin rash and neuropathy, even in nonendemic regions.