What is leprsoy?
Leprosy is a chronic infectious disease caused by the bacterium *Mycobacterium leprae*, which mainly affects the skin, mucous membranes, and peripheral nerves. It is primarily transmitted through respiratory droplets from prolonged close contact with an untreated person with leprosy. Leprosy has been known since ancient times and was historically feared and stigmatized due to its disfiguring effects.
Symptoms:
Leprosy typically manifests as skin lesions, which may vary depending on the type of the disease:
- Tuberculoid leprosy:
- Well-defined, pale or reddish skin patches with loss of sensation
- Dryness and atrophy of the skin
- Nerve damage, leading to muscle weakness and numbness
- Lepromatous leprosy:
- Multiple, symmetrical skin lesions with infiltration and thickening
- Diffuse granulomatous involvement of the skin, leading to a waxy appearance
- Involvement of the mucous membranes and internal organs
- Borderline leprosy:
- Intermediate characteristics of tuberculoid and lepromatous leprosy
- Indeterminate leprosy:
- Early stage of the disease with single or few hypopigmented or reddish skin lesions with loss of sensation
Diagnosis:
Diagnosis of leprosy is based on clinical examination, skin biopsies, and laboratory tests:
- Clinical examination: Evaluation of skin lesions and symptoms, including loss of sensation and nerve damage.
- Skin biopsies: Microscopic examination of skin tissue samples for the presence of *Mycobacterium leprae*.
- Serological tests: Detection of antibodies specific to *M. leprae*.
Treatment:
Leprosy is curable with multidrug therapy (MDT) recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO). MDT consists of a combination of antibiotics to kill the bacteria and reduce the risk of complications:
- Rifampicin
- Dapsone
- Clofazimine
- Others as appropriate
Treatment duration varies depending on the type of leprosy and may range from 6 months to 2 years or more. Early diagnosis and treatment can prevent disability and promote complete recovery.
Leprosy is a preventable disease, and control efforts focus on early detection and treatment, education about transmission, and reducing social stigma associated with the disease.