Reactive erythema multiforme as atypical manifestation of leprosy. Case report

The clinical course of leprosy is often interrupted by reactions, which are acute inflammatory episodes that can be classified as type I or type II. Type II reactions may occur as skin lesions resembling erythema multiforme (EM), which conventionally has been associated mainly with existing drug allergies or viral infections. However, differential diagnostic criteria of the different causal agents of multiform erythema remain controversial. We present an unusual case of a male patient whose first manifestation of leprosy has been a type II reaction, multiform erythema support.