By Meagan Rock

Leprosy (Hansen’s Disease)

Leprosy is a widely misunderstood disease

Patients were forced to live in seclusion in leper colonies until the 1940’s

In 1873, Dr. Gerhard Hansen of Norway identified the germ that causes leprosy: Mycobacterium Leprae

Leprosy is an infectious disease that causes damage to the skin and peripheral nervous system

Mycobacterium Leprae has some unique characteristics

Leprosy is Caused by Mycobacterium Leprae

The ideal temperature for Mycobacterium Leprae is 33 degrees Celsius

Transmission of the Disease appears to be through mucous membranes.

Mycobacterium Leprae attacks the Schwann cells of the Peripheral Nervous System

There are 3 Main Types of Leprosy

Tuberculoid

Lepromatous

Borderline Leprosy

Two ways of diagnosing:-skin lesions-positive skin smear

Positive – TuberculoidNegative - Lepromatous

Lepromin Skin Test determines which type of Leprosy a person has.

     Pauci-bacillary(PB) – Rifampicin and Dapsone for 6 months

   Multi-bacillary(MB) – Rifampicin, Clofazimine and Dapsone for 12 months

Leprosy is easy to treat!

So far, there has been no resistance to anti-leprosy treatment when used as MDT

In 1991 WHO passed a resolution to eliminate leprosy as a public health problem by the year 2000

Leprosy has been eliminated from 119 countries out of 122 countries where the disease was considered as a public health problem in 1985

Leprosy Hanson’s disease

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