MICHAEL PIEPKORN, M.D., Ph.D.; CHRIS BROWN, M.D.; JOHN ZONE, M.D.
The Lucio phenomenon in diffuse lepromatous leprosy is an acute lepra reaction pathophysiologically mediated by vasculitis, thrombosis, and secondary cutaneous infarction (1). Because of the presence of immunoglobulin and complement deposition in cutaneous lesions and immune complexes in the serum of affected persons, an Arthus-like mechanism has been suggested as the basis for the clinical syndrome (2).
We report a patient with this syndrome in whom elevated circulating immune complexes shown by Raji cell assay declined after immunosuppressive therapy and plasmapheresis, concurrent with clinical improvement. Of additional interest was the transient appearance of auricular chondritis during therapy, a feature that
PIEPKORN M, BROWN C, ZONE J. Auricular Chondritis as a Rheumatologic Manifestation of Lucio's Phenomenon: Clinical Improvement After Plasmapheresis. Ann Intern Med. 1983;98:49–51. doi: 10.7326/0003-4819-98-1-49
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Published: Ann Intern Med. 1983;98(1):49-51.
DOI: 10.7326/0003-4819-98-1-49
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