The Study of LeprosyBy Chris Johnson

How is it caused?Leprosy, also known as Hansen’s disease is

caused by the bacteria called Mycobacterium leprae and Mycobacterium leprae

Scientists aren’t exactly sure how it it transmitted but believe it’s usually spread from person to person through respiratory droplets, so yes, it is communicable

Who can get it?Children are more prone to get it than adultsThere is no specific group that contracts the

disease but the top 3 countries with the most reported cases are;

1. India2. Brazil3. Burma

Etiology The incubation period is on average, between

3 to 5 years. In infants, it can only take a few weeks. The maximum recorded incubation period was 30 years

The primary sign is skin lesions that are usually lighter than your normal skin tone

These lesions have a “decreased sensation to touch, heat or pain”

Some symptoms are (see next slide)

Symptoms and Signs ContinuedThe lesions persist for weeks and monthsLeft untreated, leprosy can cause permanent

damage to the skin, nerves, eyes and limbsSymptoms include; dry scalp, muscle

weakness, and eye problems If diagnosed early, you can avoid nerve

damage and disabilityFor diagnosis, you can have a Leprosy Skin Test, a Skin Lesion Biopsy, or they can take a sample of your skin to test for bacteria

Pathophysiology It is chronicGenetics are thought to play a role in contracting the

diseaseDue to these genetic factors, only 5% of the population

is susceptible to the disease (The body is naturally immune to the bacteria that causes the illness

Your skin becomes infected with the lesions but the disease is at it’s worst when left untreated

It can cause permanent nerve damageIt can also cause damage to your muscles and eyes

causing your muscles to weaken and your eyesight to falter

Prognosis and TreatmentThe earlier you catch the disease the better. This is

to avoid permanent damageAfter a few weeks of treatment you can become

noninfectious (not contagious)There are multiple types of leprosy but the most

common are Pauci-bacillary leprosy, which is up to 5 lesions and you use rifampicin and daspone for up to 6 months. But if you have more than 5 lesion, you treat it with rifampicin, daspone AND clofazimine

There are many leprosy colonies around the world to isolate and limit the disease from spreading

SourcesWikipediawww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov