LEPROSY

Leprosy is a chronic infectious disease

caused by Mycobacterium leprae, an
acid-fast, rod-shaped bacillus. The disease
mainly affects the skin, the peripheral
nerves, mucosa of the upper respiratory
tract, and the eyes.
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

The main symptom of leprosy is
disfiguring skin sores, lumps, or bumps
that do not go away after several weeks or
months. The skin sores are pale-colored.
 TREATMENT &
MANAGEMENT

Treatment depends on the type of leprosy that you
have. Antibiotics are used to treat the infection.
Long-term treatment with two or more antibiotics
is recommended, usually from six months to a
year. People with severe leprosy may need to take
antibiotics longer. Antibiotics cannot treat the
nerve damage.

Anti-inflammatory drugs are used to control nerve pain
and damage related to leprosy. This may include steroids,
such as prednisone.

Patients with leprosy may also be given thalidomide, a

potent medication that suppresses the body's immune
system. It helps treat leprosy skin nodules. Thalidomide is
known to cause severe, life-threatening birth defects and
should never be taken by women who are pregnant or
women who may become pregnant.
MODE OF TRANSMISSION

Prolonged intimate skin to skin contact
and to nasopharyngeal secretions.
 INCUBATION PERIOD

Mycobacterium leprae multiplies very slowly

Symptoms can take as long as 20 years to appear

Development of disease take from months to

years (1 year to 7 years)
 PATHOGNOMONIC SIGN

leonine facies (thickened folded facial
skin)
 DIAGNOSIS

Hansens disease can be recognized by appearance of
patches of skin that may look lighter or darker than the
normal skin. Sometimes the affected skin areas may be
reddish. Loss of feeling in these skin patches is common.
You may not feel a light touch or a prick with a needle.

To confirm the diagnosis, your doctor will take a sample

of your skin or nerve (through a skin or nerve biopsy) to
look for the bacteria under the microscope and may also
do tests to rule out other skin diseases.