An unusual presenting manifestation of Hansens disease -Symmetric Polyarthritis

Leprosy is a chronic granulomatous infection caused by Mycobacterium leprae. The presenting manifestation of leprosy commonly varies from cutaneous features to neurological deficits. The musculoskeletal features of leprosy are third common ranging from polyarthalgia to Charcots arthropathy .The rheumatic features as presenting manifestation of leprosy are very rare. At times, articular involvement may be the sole presenting manifestation even without cutaneous lesions. Here we present this patient who presented with seronegative inflammatory polyarthritis and on work up he was diagnosed to have Hansens disease and was treated with anti-inflammatory agents and Multi Drug Therapy (MDT) with good response to therapy.We are presenting this patient because of rarity of Hansens disease presenting as inflammatory polyarthritis initially and also to highlight the various rheumatic manifestations of leprosy.