Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Defense Against Bacterial Pathogens

Defense Against Bacterial Pathogens

The human immune system is a complex network of cells, tissues, and organs that work together to defend the body against bacterial infections. It consists of various immune cells, each playing a specific role in the defense mechanism.
Phagocytes
Phagocytes are the frontline soldiers of the immune system. They include neutrophils and macrophages. Neutrophils are the most abundant type of white blood cell and are quickly mobilized to the site of infection. Macrophages are larger cells that patrol...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Experiences and perceptions on diagnostic delay of leprosy by affected people in Colombia: A qualitative study.

PLoS neglected tropical diseases·2026

Same author

Exploring generational differences in the impact of stigma on mental health among people affected by leprosy in rural India: a qualitative study.

Scientific reports·2026

Same author

Cured but not healed: the mental health crisis in leprosy we continue to ignore.

BMC global and public health·2026

Same author

Tuberculosis control in Ethiopian prisons: A forgotten front in the end TB Strategy.

PLoS neglected tropical diseases·2026

Same author

Perceptions of Hansen's Disease in Northeast Brazil: A Community-Based Study Integrating Stigma, Empowerment, and Social Distance.

Tropical medicine & international health : TM & IH·2026

Same author

Effectiveness of community-based and community-led interventions to improve the psychosocial well-being of those affected by skin-NTDs: A systematic review.

PLoS neglected tropical diseases·2026

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 13, 2025

Optimized Protocols for Mycobacterium leprae Strain Management: Frozen Stock Preservation and Maintenance in Athymic Nude Mice

Optimized Protocols for Mycobacterium leprae Strain Management: Frozen Stock Preservation and Maintenance in Athymic Nude Mice

Published on: March 23, 2014

Self-healing in leprosy: A systematic review.

Sophie C W Stuetzle^1,2, Ann-Kristin Bonkass³, Wim H van Brakel⁴

¹Department of Global Health, Institute of Public Health and Nursing Research, University of Bremen, Bremen, Germany.

Plos Neglected Tropical Diseases

|September 12, 2024

Summary

Self-healing in leprosy, though historically noted, is poorly understood. Research suggests children and paucibacillary cases may self-resolve, but more studies are needed to confirm this leprosy phenomenon.

More Related Videos

DNA Fingerprinting of Mycobacterium leprae Strains Using Variable Number Tandem Repeat VNTR - Fragment Length Analysis FLA

DNA Fingerprinting of Mycobacterium leprae Strains Using Variable Number Tandem Repeat VNTR - Fragment Length Analysis FLA

Published on: July 15, 2011

Deciphering the Molecular Mechanism and Function of Pore-Forming Toxins Using Leishmania major

Deciphering the Molecular Mechanism and Function of Pore-Forming Toxins Using Leishmania major

Published on: October 28, 2022

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 13, 2025

Optimized Protocols for Mycobacterium leprae Strain Management: Frozen Stock Preservation and Maintenance in Athymic Nude Mice

Optimized Protocols for Mycobacterium leprae Strain Management: Frozen Stock Preservation and Maintenance in Athymic Nude Mice

Published on: March 23, 2014

DNA Fingerprinting of Mycobacterium leprae Strains Using Variable Number Tandem Repeat VNTR - Fragment Length Analysis FLA

DNA Fingerprinting of Mycobacterium leprae Strains Using Variable Number Tandem Repeat VNTR - Fragment Length Analysis FLA

Published on: July 15, 2011

Deciphering the Molecular Mechanism and Function of Pore-Forming Toxins Using Leishmania major

Deciphering the Molecular Mechanism and Function of Pore-Forming Toxins Using Leishmania major

Published on: October 28, 2022

Area of Science:

Infectious Diseases
Immunology
Dermatology

Background:

Leprosy, caused by Mycobacterium leprae, can lead to disability if untreated.
Multidrug therapy (MDT) has been standard since 1982.
Historical data suggests spontaneous leprosy resolution, but prevalence and determinants are unclear.

Approach:

Systematic review conducted in 2023.
Searched PubMed, Infolep, Web of Science, and Google.
Included English-language studies on leprosy self-healing, adhering to PRISMA guidelines.

Key Points:

Six studies from 1938-1978 were analyzed.
Children, paucibacillary (PB) leprosy, and males showed higher self-healing probability.
Average self-healing time was two years.

Conclusions:

Recent research on leprosy self-healing is scarce.
Ethical concerns and lack of a clear definition limit studies.
Self-healing is a plausible phenomenon influenced by geography, demographics, and leprosy type, warranting further investigation.