The presence of Mycobacterium leprae in sputum of respiratory symptomatic patient with multibacillary leprosy

Abstract

Patient with main complaints of chronic productive cough lasted three months and expectoration of purulent sputum, weight loss, loss of appetite, dyspnea, pain in the thoracic region and tiredness, clinical symptoms of leprosy, lymph index of 4.25 and positive IgM anti-PGL-I titers. Of the sputum, by using the Ziehl-Neelsen method, isolated bacilli and in groups with lack of growth in Löwenstein-Jensen were observed. It was shown DNA amplification of Mycobacterium leprae in the sputum samples and nasal secretion. It is demonstrated a symptomatic case of tuberculosis and leprosy, but only in multibacillary leprosy, so the dissemination by contiguity of M. leprae to the lungs can occur, once bacillus is frequently found in the nasopharynx.