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. The disease is clinically characterized by one or more of the three cardinal signs: hypopigmented or erythematous skin patches wit...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Wiley
2012-01-01
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| Series: | Interdisciplinary Perspectives on Infectious Diseases |
| Online Access: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2012/181089 |
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| author | Ramesh Marne Bhat Chaitra Prakash |
| author_facet | Ramesh Marne Bhat Chaitra Prakash |
| author_sort | Ramesh Marne Bhat |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | 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. 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. M. leprae primarily infects Schwann cells in the peripheral nerves leading to nerve damage and the development of disabilities. Despite reduced prevalence of M. leprae infection in the endemic countries following implementation of multidrug therapy (MDT) program by WHO to treat leprosy, new case detection rates are still high-indicating active transmission. The susceptibility to the mycobacteria and the clinical course of the disease are attributed to the host immune response, which heralds the review of immunopathology of this complex disease. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-fa1144f4d1dd4af980c75dbb973a0b86 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1687-708X 1687-7098 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2012-01-01 |
| publisher | Wiley |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Interdisciplinary Perspectives on Infectious Diseases |
| spelling | doaj-art-fa1144f4d1dd4af980c75dbb973a0b862025-02-03T01:24:15ZengWileyInterdisciplinary Perspectives on Infectious Diseases1687-708X1687-70982012-01-01201210.1155/2012/181089181089Leprosy: An Overview of PathophysiologyRamesh Marne Bhat0Chaitra Prakash1Department of Dermatology, Father Muller Medical College, Karnataka, Mangalore 572002, IndiaDepartment of Dermatology, Father Muller Medical College, Karnataka, Mangalore 572002, IndiaLeprosy, 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. 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. M. leprae primarily infects Schwann cells in the peripheral nerves leading to nerve damage and the development of disabilities. Despite reduced prevalence of M. leprae infection in the endemic countries following implementation of multidrug therapy (MDT) program by WHO to treat leprosy, new case detection rates are still high-indicating active transmission. The susceptibility to the mycobacteria and the clinical course of the disease are attributed to the host immune response, which heralds the review of immunopathology of this complex disease.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2012/181089 |
| spellingShingle | Ramesh Marne Bhat Chaitra Prakash Leprosy: An Overview of Pathophysiology Interdisciplinary Perspectives on Infectious Diseases |
| title | Leprosy: An Overview of Pathophysiology |
| title_full | Leprosy: An Overview of Pathophysiology |
| title_fullStr | Leprosy: An Overview of Pathophysiology |
| title_full_unstemmed | Leprosy: An Overview of Pathophysiology |
| title_short | Leprosy: An Overview of Pathophysiology |
| title_sort | leprosy an overview of pathophysiology |
| url | http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2012/181089 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT rameshmarnebhat leprosyanoverviewofpathophysiology AT chaitraprakash leprosyanoverviewofpathophysiology |