Leprosy

• Leprosy

  • Also known as “Hansen’s disease” or “Ketong”.
• Leprosy is

  • caused by a type of bacteria, Mycobacterium leprae.
• The disease affects the skin, peripheral nerves, mucosa of the upper respiratory tract, and the eyes.
• • Mycobacterium leprae (M. leprae). Discovered by Gerhard Armauer Hanses of Norway in 1873.
• Mycobacterium leprae (M. leprae).

  • It is an acid-fast, rod-shaped, slow-growing bacterium.
  • an obligate intracellular pathogen and an obligate aerobe.  grows best in cool temperature between 27 C - 33 C.
• Mode of Transmission - Droplets, Prolonged close contace
• Pathogenesis

  1. Entry of Mycobacteium leprae inside Host body.
  2. Binds with the Schwann cell of PNS.
  3. Immune Response through cytokines by APS.
  4. Inhalation of Phagocytosis.
  5. Which eventually leads to damage of Schwann cell.
• Skin Lesions

  • May appear as hypopigmented (light-colored) patches, erythematous (red) areas, or nodules on the skin.
• Peripheral Nerve Involvement

  • Leprosy affects peripheral nerves, leading to various neurological symptoms. 
  • This includes sensory loss, muscle weakness, and paralysis. 
  • Nerve damage can result in deformities of the hands, feet, and face, as well as loss of eyebrows and eyelashes.
• Ocular Manifestation

  • Corneal ulcer, staphyloma, blindness, and other eye complications can also occur if facial nerves are affected by the infection.
• Leprosy is a curable disease.
• • Recommended treatment regimen: Dapsone, Rifampicin, and Clofazimine. This treatment is referred to as multi-drug therapy (MDT).
• • MDT kills the pathogen responsible for leprosy and cures the patient.
• Duration of Treatment:

  • Paucibacillary (PB) Cases: 6 months.
  • Multibacillary (MB) Cases: 12 months.
• To enhance leprosy prevention, with the consent of the index case, WHO recommends;

  • Contact Tracing: Identifying and locating individuals who have had close contact with a person diagnosed with leprosy.
  • Preventive Chemotherapy. Administering a single-dose of rifampicin as a preventive chemotherapy to contacts of leprosy patients.