A case of concomitant subcorneal pustular dermatosis and erythema nodosum leprosum in borderline lepromatous leprosy-relapses

Abstract

Subcorneal pustular dermatosis (SPD) is a rare, chronic, and recurrent pustular eruption characterized histopathologically by subcorneal pustules that contain neutrophils. SPD has been clearly reported conjunction with other diseases. Leprosy reactions are acute inflammatory process that immunologically driven on the chronic course of leprosy. Erythema nodosum leprosum (ENL) is a type II of leprosy reaction putatively can initiate SPD lesions. We report one case of concomitant SPD and ENL in borderline lepromatous leprosy-relapses. A 41-year-old man with the history of using multidrug therapy-multibacillary for leprosy presented with painful erythematous nodules on the trunk and extremities, accompanied by pustules on erythematous base on the face, arms, buttocks, and legs. There were thickening of both ulnar nerves with gloves and stocking hypesthesia. The bacterial index was 3+ and morphological index was 20\%. Histopathological examination on the pustule revealed subcorneal pustules with exocytosis of neutrophils which supported the diagnosis of SPD. A possible immunologic mechanism has been suggested in the induction of the occurence both SPD and ENL.