Leprosy

Leprosy- Hansen’s Disease

Myobacterium leprae

GPR, Acid-fast, Aerobic, 11-13 day doubling time, can’t be easily cultured, obligate intracellular parasite, invades schwann cells associated with peripheral neurons

Armadillos, Humans

Skin, Mucosa, Upper Respiratory Tract

(ALL likely) Respiratory droplets, direct skin contact, zoonotic

3 months- 20 yrs

Bacteria infect skin cells macrophages and peripheral nerves of cooler extremitis. Immune responses can result in tubercle formation and/or tissue damage or loss- including nerve damage and loss of sensory perception. Tissue damage results from non-inflammatory cell death

Asymptomatic; Incubation 5 yr average; Skin lesions, Numbness, Painless ulcers

hypopigmented, raised flat red patches, dry, scaley, reversal reactions (plaques with a red border)

Nerve damage, paralysis, deformitis such as clawed hand, tissue necrosis, corneal ulcers, bone loss (digit resorption), infertility

Avoid contacting infected animals, tuberculosis (BCG) vaccine (possibly 32-86% effective)

Multiple Antibiotic Therapy (6-12 month); rifampin, dapsone, clofazimine