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Leprosy Report Organized

Leprosy, caused by Mycobacterium leprae and Mycobacterium lepromatosis, primarily affects the skin and nerves, leading to disabilities if untreated, but is curable with Multi-Drug Therapy (MDT). It spreads through respiratory droplets, with a long incubation period, and is more common in impoverished regions. Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial for preventing complications, and ongoing research aims to improve prevention and management strategies.

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Alsayda Ali
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12 views

Leprosy Report Organized

Leprosy, caused by Mycobacterium leprae and Mycobacterium lepromatosis, primarily affects the skin and nerves, leading to disabilities if untreated, but is curable with Multi-Drug Therapy (MDT). It spreads through respiratory droplets, with a long incubation period, and is more common in impoverished regions. Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial for preventing complications, and ongoing research aims to improve prevention and management strategies.

Uploaded by

Alsayda Ali
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Leprosy (Hansens Disease)

Leprosy is a chronic infectious disease caused by the bacteria Mycobacterium leprae and
Mycobacterium lepromatosis. It primarily affects the skin, peripheral nerves, upper respiratory
mucosa, and eyes. If left untreated, it can cause permanent disabilities and deformities. However,
leprosy is curable, and early treatment can prevent complications.

Discovery of Leprosy

Leprosy was first identified as a bacterial disease in 1873 by Gerhard Armauer Hansen, a
Norwegian physician, making it one of the first diseases with a known bacterial cause. This
discovery helped eliminate many myths surrounding the disease.

Transmission

Leprosy spreads through respiratory droplets (sneezing or coughing) from an untreated infected
person.
It does not spread through casual contact like handshaking, hugging, sharing food, or sitting next to
an infected person.
The incubation period is very long, ranging from 6 months to 20 years, making early diagnosis
challenging.
About 95% of people have natural immunity, which reduces the risk of infection.
Leprosy is more common in poor regions, particularly in India, Brazil, and Indonesia.

Types of Leprosy

1. **Tuberculoid Leprosy**: Strong immune response, with few and well-defined skin lesions. Limited
nerve damage, making it a milder form of the disease.
2. **Lepromatous Leprosy**: Weak immune response, causing widespread skin lesions and nerve
damage. May lead to severe deformities.
3. **Borderline Leprosy**: An intermediate form between tuberculoid and lepromatous leprosy. It
may progress to either of the other two forms.

Symptoms

Skin patches: Pale or red patches with loss of sensation.


Numbness and tingling: Mainly in the hands and feet.
Muscle weakness: Can lead to paralysis or deformities.
Eye problems: Dryness, redness, or vision loss.
Enlarged nerves: Causing loss of function and deformities.
Chronic ulcers on feet or hands due to loss of sensation.
Fingers or toes may be lost due to secondary infections or poor circulation.
Reproductive issues in men, such as infertility and reduced sexual function.

Diagnosis
Clinical examination: Checking for skin lesions and nerve damage.
Skin biopsy: To confirm the presence of M. leprae.
Nerve biopsy: To assess nerve damage.
Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR): Detects bacterial DNA.
Serological tests: Identify antibodies against the bacteria.

Treatment

Leprosy is curable with Multi-Drug Therapy (MDT), which is provided free of charge by the World
Health Organization (WHO).
Treatment depends on the severity:
- **Paucibacillary Leprosy (Mild cases)**: Dapsone (daily) + Rifampicin (monthly) for 6 months.
- **Multibacillary Leprosy (Severe cases)**: Dapsone + Rifampicin + Clofazimine for 12-24
months.
Early treatment prevents disabilities, but nerve damage cannot be reversed.
Steroids (e.g., Prednisone) help control nerve inflammation.
Thalidomide may be used for skin nodules but is strictly prohibited in pregnancy due to severe birth
defects.
Antibiotic resistance is emerging, leading researchers to explore new drugs such as Bedaquiline.

Prevention and Control

Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial to stopping transmission.


WHO recommends giving a single dose of Rifampicin to close contacts of patients as a preventive
measure.
Improving living conditions, nutrition, and healthcare reduces infection rates.
Awareness campaigns help reduce social stigma and discrimination against patients.
Research is ongoing to develop an effective leprosy vaccine, based on an improved version of the
BCG vaccine.

Conclusion

Leprosy is an infectious disease, but it does not spread easily, and most people have natural
immunity.
If left untreated, it can cause severe disabilities, but it is completely curable with Multi-Drug Therapy
(MDT).
Early diagnosis and treatment are essential to prevent complications and stop transmission.
Advances in treatment and prevention continue to improve leprosy management, but poverty and
stigma remain major challenges.

References

1. World Health Organization (WHO). Leprosy Report, January 2022.


2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Leprosy, 2020.
3. Britton, W. J., & Lockwood, D. N. (2004). Leprosy. The Lancet, 363(9416), 1209-1219.
4. WHO Expert Committee on Leprosy. 8th Report.

Leprosy Image Examples

Figure 1: Leprosy skin lesions on an adult patient.

Figure 2: Leprosy skin patches on a child.

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