Leprosy in Malta : not to be forgotten

Abstract

Leprosy is a granulomatous infection that was once endemic on the Maltese Islands. Locally this disease was eradicated thanks to the Leprosy Eradication Programme which was concluded in 1999 and utilized a multidrug therapy regime. However, in view of the influx of migrant populations over the years we are starting to encounter leprosy in nationals of countries where the disease is still endemic. We report a case of a Philippino man presenting with nodular lesions over the face, trunk and limbs and a hypoaesthetic patch over the arm. A skin biopsy supported the clinical suspicion of midline borderline/borderline lepromatous leprosy and triple therapy with clofazimine, dapsone and rifampicin was initiated. Despite having a wide clinical differential diagnosis, leprosy must always be kept in mind by clinicians, especially when treating nationals from endemic areas.