Leprosy is caused by the bacteria Mycobacterium leprae, which is usually spread through respiratory droplets. Children are more susceptible than adults. The top three countries with the most reported leprosy cases are India, Brazil, and Burma. Leprosy has an average incubation period of 3-5 years and the primary sign is pale skin lesions with reduced sensation. If diagnosed early, nerve damage and disability can be avoided through treatment with antibiotics such as rifampicin and daspone.

1. The Study of Leprosy By Chris Johnson

2. How is it caused? Leprosy, also known as Hansen’s disease is caused by the bacteria called Mycobacterium leprae and Mycobacterium leprae Scientists aren’t exactly sure how it it transmitted but believe it’s usually spread from person to person through respiratory droplets, so yes, it is communicable

3. Who can get it? Children are more prone to get it than adults There is no specific group that contracts the disease but the top 3 countries with the most reported cases are; 1. India 2. Brazil 3. Burma

4. Etiology The incubation period is on average, between 3 to 5 years. In infants, it can only take a few weeks. The maximum recorded incubation period was 30 years The primary sign is skin lesions that are usually lighter than your normal skin tone These lesions have a “decreased sensation to touch, heat or pain” Some symptoms are (see next slide)

5. Symptoms and Signs Continued The lesions persist for weeks and months Left untreated, leprosy can cause permanent damage to the skin, nerves, eyes and limbs Symptoms include; dry scalp, muscle weakness, and eye problems If diagnosed early, you can avoid nerve damage and disability For diagnosis, you can have a Leprosy Skin Test, a Skin Lesion Biopsy, or they can take a sample of your skin to test for bacteria

6. Pathophysiology It is chronic Genetics are thought to play a role in contracting the disease Due to these genetic factors, only 5% of the population is susceptible to the disease (The body is naturally immune to the bacteria that causes the illness Your skin becomes infected with the lesions but the disease is at it’s worst when left untreated It can cause permanent nerve damage It can also cause damage to your muscles and eyes causing your muscles to weaken and your eyesight to falter

7. Prognosis and Treatment The earlier you catch the disease the better. This is to avoid permanent damage After a few weeks of treatment you can become noninfectious (not contagious) There are multiple types of leprosy but the most common are Pauci-bacillary leprosy, which is up to 5 lesions and you use rifampicin and daspone for up to 6 months. But if you have more than 5 lesion, you treat it with rifampicin, daspone AND clofazimine There are many leprosy colonies around the world to isolate and limit the disease from spreading

8. Sources Wikipedia www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov