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Leprosy - Leprosy symptom, treatment, causes

Leprosy is a chronic infectious disease caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium leprae, which attacks nerves that are close to the skin. The cooler parts of the body such as the skin, the linings of the nose and mouth, the testes, the front surface of the eyes and the hands and feet are most affected.

More than 12 million people worldwide are affected by leprosy (also known as Hansen's disease), mainly in Asia. Africa, Mexico, and Central and South America. In Australia occasional new cases are still reported each year, mostly among Aborigines living in the far north and migrants from Asia. The disease is thought to be spread by nasal droplets, but infected soil and insects may playa role. About 50 per cent of patients have a history of close contact with an infected person, but most people in a household where there is leprosy do not catch the disease and often develop anbodies to M. leprae.

Leprosy is a chronic bacterial disease of the skin and nerves in the hands and feet and, in some cases, the lining of the nose. It is caused by a bacteria similar to that which causes tuberculosis. In very serious cases, the bacilli may be found in the lymph nodes, male testes, spleen, liver, and bone marrow. The infection can damage nerves in the face and body, leading to a loss of sensation and paralysis. Because the organism grows best at lower temperatures the leprosy bacillus has a preference for the skin, the mucous membranes and the nerves. The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates there are 830,000 cases of the disease worldwide. It is most prevalent in poverty-stricken areas of in Asia, Africa and Latin America. About 95% of people who are exposed to Mycobacterium leprae do not develop leprosy because their immune system fights off the infection. In people who do develop the disease, the infection can range from mild (tuberculoid leprosy) to severe (lepromatous leprosy). Although leprosy is not highly contagious, does not cause death, and can be effectively treated with antibiotics, the disease still causes widespread anxiety. Almost all cases of leprosy in the United States involve people who emigrated from developing countries. The infection can start at any age but most commonly begins in the 20s and 30s. The third type is known as borderline or dimorphous leprosy, and is has characteristics of both other forms. Household contacts of most cases and the medical personnel caring for Hansen's disease patients are not at particular risk. It is very curable, although the treatment is long-term, requiring multiple medications.

Leprosy is a painful condition which, although curable, can leave sufferers deformed and crippled if left untreated. Leprosy is most common in warm, wet areas in the tropics and subtropics. Multibacillary Hansen's disease is associated with symmetric skin lesions, nodules, plaques, thickened dermis, and frequent involvement of the nasal mucous resulting in nasal congestion and pistachios. It is most common in warm, wet areas in the tropics and subtropics. Because sensation is lost, everyday activities are fraught with danger as wounds go unnoticed. Even stones in shoes and grit in the eyes may lead to serious harm when left unattended. Patients may lose fingers, feet, and eyesight.

Causes of Leprosy

The common Causes of Leprosy :

• Leprosy is a chronic disease caused by a bacillus, Mycobacterium leprae.
• Leprosy is not highly infectious. It is transmitted via droplets, from the nose and mouth, during close and frequent contacts with untreated cases.
• HIV infection is not a risk factor for acquiring leprosy, nor does it increase the clinical symptoms or virulence of leprosy.
• M. leprae multiplies very slowly and the incubation period of the disease is about five years. Symptoms can take as long as 20 years to appear.

Symptoms of Leprosy

The incubation period is longer than for any other human bacterial infection, ranging from 1 to 40 years before symptoms appear. Initially, patches of skin supplied by affected nerves become pale and lose some sensation. As nerve damage progresses all sensation may be lost, with associated paralysis in muscles supplied by the affected nerves. The most serious complications are infection by other bacteria of wounds that are neglected because they are not felt or noticed (particularly on the hands and feet), which can lead to ulceration and loss of tissue, and eye damage that can lead to blindness. Some Symptoms of Leprosy :

• Local skin numbness.
• Numbness or absent sensation in the hands and arms, or feet and legs
• Leprosy mainly affects the skin and nerves.
• Muscle weakness resulting in signs such as foot drop (the toe drags when the foot is lifted to take a step) .
• Skin lesions that do not heal after several weeks to months.

Treatment of Leprosy

The progress of leprosy can now behalted by specific antileprosy drugs. though usually treatment must be continued for at least 2 years. The damage to nerves and tissues that has already occurred is irreversible, and special care must be continued throughout life to prevent injury and infection of the numb parts.

• Medications used to eliminate the microorganism and to reduce symptoms like dapsone, rifampin and clofazimine.
• Aspirin, prednisone, or thalidomide are used for the control of inflammation, that may occur with therapy.
• Ethionamide .
• WHO and US treatment regimens for paucibacillary and multibacillary disease are listed below. Therapy for single-skin lesions is not universal, as 80% of single-skin lesions heal spontaneously. Therefore, only the WHO has a recommended treatment.
• Emergency treatment when necessary to control and prevent further damage from leprosy reactions.
• Treatment consists of antimicrobial therapy using sulfones, primarily oral dapsone, which may cause hypersensitivity reaction.