Leprosy

Leprosy, also known as Hansen’s disease, is a chronic infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae (M. leprae), an acid-fast, rod-shaped bacillus. The disease primarily affects the peripheral nerves, skin, upper respiratory tract, eyes, and nasal mucosa. Leprosy may be complicated by episodes of immunological instability including type-1 and type-2 reactions (erythema nodosum leprosum). Multidrug therapy treatment is a highly effective cure for leprosy and early treatment can prevent disability. 2018 WHO treatment guidelines recommend the same 3-drug regimen with rifampicin, dapsone and clofazimine for all leprosy patients, with a duration of treatment of 6 months for PB leprosy and of 12 months for MB leprosy. This chapter briefly discusses different clinical manifestations of leprosy, investigations, criteria in diagnosis and treatments.