How does leprosy develop?

How does leprosy develop?

The bacterium Mycobacterium leprae causes leprosy. It’s thought that leprosy spreads through contact with the mucosal secretions of a person with the infection. This usually occurs when a person with leprosy sneezes or coughs. The disease isn’t highly contagious.

What kind of disease is leprosy and what causes it?

Leprosy: an overview of pathophysiology. Leprosy, also known as Hansen’s disease, is a chronic infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae, a microorganism that has a predilection for the skin and nerves.

Who was the first person to discover leprosy?

Leprosy is also termed as Hansen’s disease after the name of the scientist – Dr Gerhard Henrik Armauer Hansen who discovered this infectious disease in the year 1873. Leprosy firstly affects the skin and then moves on to nerves present outside the brain and spinal cord which is known as the peripheral nerves.

How are leprosy and mycobacterial infections related?

Leprosy can be considered 2 connected diseases that primarily affect superficial tissues, especially the skin and peripheral nerves. Initially, a mycobacterial infection causes a wide array of cellular immune responses.

What are the three cardinal signs of leprosy?

The disease is clinically characterized by one or more of the three cardinal signs: hypopigmented or erythematous skin patches with definite loss of sensation, thickened peripheral nerves, and acid-fast bacilli detected on skin smears or biopsy material.

How deadly is leprosy?

Leprosy is a chronic infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae , mostly found in warm tropical regions. It often results in severe, disfiguring skin sores and nerve damage affecting the limbs and skin. Though it’s not deadly, it can be contagious and the social stigma of leprosy, devastating.

What is the prognosis for leprosy?

The prognosis of Leprosy may include the duration of Leprosy, chances of complications of Leprosy, probable outcomes, prospects for recovery, recovery period for Leprosy, survival rates, death rates, and other outcome possibilities in the overall prognosis of Leprosy. Naturally, such forecast issues are by their nature unpredictable.

What are some facts about leprosy?

Leprosy is a chronic, progressive bacterial infection caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium leprae . It primarily affects the nerves of the extremities, the skin, the lining of the nose, and the upper respiratory tract. Leprosy is also known as Hansen’s disease. Leprosy produces skin ulcers, nerve damage, and muscle weakness.

What is the cure for leprosy?

Leprosy is curable with multidrug therapy. Treatment of paucibacillary leprosy is with the medications dapsone , rifampicin , and clofazimine for six months.