The association of leprosy and pulmonary tuberculosis
Nigam, P.; Dubey, A.L.; Dayal, S.G.; Goyal, B.M.; Saxena, H.N.; Samuel, K.C.
Leprosy in India 51(1): 65-73
1979
ISSN/ISBN: 0024-1024 PMID: 449287 Document Number: 141201
The association of leprosy with pulmonary tuberculosis was seen in 20 cases during January 1972 to October 1977. Of these 20 cases, 15 were of lepromatous, 3 of dimorphous and 2 of tuberculoid leprosy. Maximum number of cases were from 3rd decade of life with male to female ratio of 3 : 1. Patients were suffering from the disease for a very long time (8 cases of lepromatous leprosy with duration of illness 10-15 years). The symptoms of leprosy seemed to have preceded to the symptoms of pulmonary tuberculosis. Duration of tuberculosis in most of them was within 6 months (55%). The predominent presenting symptom was cough with expectoration (100%) and fever (80%). Anaemia (75%) and crepitations (60%) were the presenting physical sign mainly. Radiologically bilateral extensive pulmonary lessons were seen in 14 cases (70%). Sputum for acid fast bacilli was positive in 80% of cases. The general condition and nutritional status was poor and death was resulted in 4 cases (3 of lepromatous and 1 of dimorphous leprosy).