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Leprosy: an overview of pathophysiology
Ramesh Marne Bhat1, Chaitra Prakash
1Department of Dermatology, Father Muller Medical College, Karnataka, Mangalore 572002, India.
Interdisciplinary Perspectives on Infectious Diseases
|September 19, 2012
Summary
Leprosy, caused by Mycobacterium leprae, damages skin and nerves. Despite treatment, new cases persist, highlighting the need to understand the host immune response in Hansen's disease.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Immunology
- Neurology
Background:
- Leprosy (Hansen's disease) is a chronic infection by Mycobacterium leprae.
- It primarily affects skin and peripheral nerves, causing nerve damage and disabilities.
- Cardinal signs include sensory loss, nerve thickening, and bacilli presence.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the immunopathology of leprosy.
- To understand host immune response in disease susceptibility and progression.
- To address persistent new case detection despite multidrug therapy.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on leprosy immunopathology.
- Analysis of host immune responses to Mycobacterium leprae.
- Examination of factors influencing disease course and transmission.
Main Results:
- Mycobacterium leprae infects Schwann cells, leading to nerve damage.
- Host immune response significantly influences leprosy susceptibility and clinical presentation.
- High new case detection rates indicate ongoing transmission despite multidrug therapy.
Conclusions:
- Understanding leprosy immunopathology is crucial for disease control.
- Host immunity plays a key role in leprosy's complex clinical spectrum.
- Further research into immune mechanisms is needed to combat persistent transmission.
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