James* is a 30-year-old Mozambican man from Quelimane, whose symptoms started in 2023. He is studying at the Catholic Theology college in Pietermaritzburg. He reported to his supervisor in January 2026 that he had skin lesions. They took him to a clinic where he was treated for a fungal infection for two months until they realised he was not responding to the treatment and referred him to a specialised skin clinic. Here, the doctors did a biopsy which confirmed Borderline leprosy.
At first, James said that he was not aware of any contact with leprosy. However, after he spoke to his mother, she said that they do have a family member who had leprosy when he was a child.
James had tenderness in multiple nerves, red skin lesions and paralysis in his right foot. He started taking multi-drug therapy and Prednisolone at 25 mg daily.
Did You Know?
A leprosy patient becomes non-infectious within 24 to 72 hours (just a few days) after taking their first dose of MDT. This means the patient unable to spread the disease to others almost immediately.1
We recently followed up with James’ supervisor, who informed us that he was feeling much better already, after just one week of treatment. We pray for his continued healing.
*Name has been changed
References:
1. Lockwood DN, Kumar B. Treatment of leprosy. BMJ. 2004 Jun 19;328(7454):1447-8. doi: 10.1136/bmj.328.7454.1447. PMID: 15205269; PMCID: PMC428501.