Leprosy (Hansen's Disease)

Leprosy (Hansen's Disease)

Mycobacterium leprae

*GPR (gram positive rod)
*acid-fast
*aerboic
*11-13 day doubling time
*can't be easily cultured
*obligate intracelluar parasite
*invades schwann cells (peripheral neurons)

*armadillos and humans

Skin, mucosa, upper respiratory tract

respiratory droplets, direct skin contact, zoonotic

3 months-20 yrs

*bacteria infects skin cells macrophages and peripheral nerves of extermities
*immune response causes tubercle formation and/or tissue damage or loss

*nerve damage
*loss of sensory perception

non-inflammatory cell death

*skin lesions (hypopigmented, raised flat red patches, dry and scaly, or plaques with red border
*numbness
*painless ulcers

5 yrs

Yes, during incubation period (lasts months to yrs)

*nerve damage
*paralysis
*deformations (clawed hand)
*tissue necrosis
*corneal ulcers
*bone loss (digit resorption)
*infertility

*avoid contacting infected animals
*tuberculosis (BCG) vaccine

*32-86% effective

*multiple antibiotic therapy (6-12 months)

*rifamppin
*dapsone
*clofazimine