Access Dermatology

Summary

Leprosy is a chronic infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae and is associated with hypersensitivity reactions. Because of the consequences of the potential complicating neuritic and ocular involvement, it remains one of the leading causes of permanent physical disabilities. Approximately 83% of leprosy cases are found in the relatively highly endemic countries of Nepal, Madagascar, Myanmar, Indonesia, and especially India and Brazil. The current multiple drug therapy regimens have significantly reduced its prevalence, but unfortunately its incidence has remained about the same over the last ten years and raises concern about the concept that the current effective therapy not only can reduce the transmission but also the incidence. Among the therapeutic and control measures being sought to help eliminate leprosy are (1) tools for detecting preclinical disease; (2) a shorter duration of therapy by utilizing other more bactericidal drugs; (3) improvement in the ability to predict and treat more effectively reactional episodes; (4) new methods for better detection and treatment of neuritis and ocular involvement; (5) a clearer understanding of the mode and pattern of transmission; (6) the establishment of risk factors for infection; (7) the development of a practical and effective vaccine; and (8) the removal of the stigma of leprosy through widespread education.