Leprosy : Definition, Etiology, Pathophysiology, Clinical sign and Disease management

            Leprosy, an chronic infectious disease which mainly infects skin, mouth, respiratory tract, eyes and testis.

Causative organism - Mycobacterium leprae

            According to the WHO, 8 countries—India, China, Nepal, Brazil, Indonesia, Myanmar (Burma), Madagascar and Nigeria.

Mode of Transmission

            It is a slow communicable disease. The infectivity sources,

                    i. Direct contact with untreated leprosy patients

                    ii. Materno-foetal transmission

                    iii. Transmission from milk of leprosy affected mother to infant.

Clinical Features

Lepromatous Leprosy

        Thickened skin on face

        Macules and lesions widely and symmetrically distributed

        Nasal stuffiness

        Bloody nose

        Laryngitis

        Enlargement of male breasts

        Slight hypopigmentation

        Smooth and Shiny face

Disease Management

Leprosy Multi drug therapy : 3 drug regimen of Dapsone, Rifampicin and Clofazimine is given.