What Is Leprosy? | All Global Updates

What is Leprosy?

·         Leprosy is a chronic infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae (M. leprae).

·         It mainly affects the skin, peripheral nerves, and mucous membranes.

·         It is a disease mainly of human beings, which affects people of all races, all ages, and both sexes.

·         Similar to TB, leprosy bacilli are mainly transmitted through infectious droplets that are spread by an infectious individual through coughing and sneezing.

·         Patients carrying many leprosy bacilli are called multibacillary (MB) patients.
·         They are the main source of infection.
·         People may carry the bacilli but not develop the disease.
·         These people, called healthy carriers, are also probably able to transmit the bacilli to others.
·         Individuals with few bacilli in their body are called paucibacillary (PB).
·         Like healthy carriers, they are not a significant source of infection.

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References
Wells BG, DiPiro J, Schwinghammer T (2013), Pharmacotherapy Handbook (6th Ed). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill.

DiPiro JT, Talbert RL, Yee GC, Matzke GR, Wells BG, Posey ML, (2008): Pharmacotherapy: A Pathophysiologic Approach (7th ed): New York, NY: McGraw-Hill.

Katz M D., Matthias KR., Chisholm-Burns M A., Pharmacotherapy(2011) Principles & Practice Study Guide: A Case-Based Care Plan Approach: New York, NY: McGraw-Hill.

Schwinghammer TL, Koehler JM (2009) Pharmacotherapy Casebook: A Patient-Focused Approach (7th ed): New York, NY: McGraw-Hill.