Leprosy Patients with COVID-19: The Double Trouble?

Anuj Mavlankar

Abstract: Type 2 leprosy reaction or Erythema nodosum leprosum in conjunction with COVID-19 poses a higher risk for patients with a long course of corticosteroids for its control. Despite regular uptake of corticosteroids, the benefits will usually outweigh the small increase in acquiring SARS-CoV-2 infection. In addition, the actual consequences of M. leprae-SARS-CoV-2 co-infection must be thoroughly investigated. Further detailed work should be done to unleash the factors associated with COVID-19 and their possible correlation with leprosy patients.

Keywords: Leprosy, COVID-19, Erythema nodosum leprosum, Type-2 leprosy reaction, corticosteroids