1Stroke Medicine, Morriston Hospital, Swansea, Wales
2General Medicine, Northern General Hospital, Sheffield, England
American Journal of Infectious Diseases and Microbiology.
2020,
Vol. 8 No. 3, 88-94
DOI: 10.12691/ajidm-8-3-1
Copyright © 2020 Science and Education PublishingCite this paper: Kashini Andrew, Mivanyi Kadala. Leprosy: A Review of History, Clinical Presentation and Treatments.
American Journal of Infectious Diseases and Microbiology. 2020; 8(3):88-94. doi: 10.12691/ajidm-8-3-1.
Correspondence to: Kashini Andrew, Stroke Medicine, Morriston Hospital, Swansea, Wales. Email:
kashiniandrew12@gmail.comAbstract
Leprosy is an ancient disease of mankind that has persisted for generations across various continents. The disease is caused by Mycobacterium leprae and Mycobacterium lepromatosis with humans acting as the natural reservoir. The transmission of Leprosy is still poorly understood, however it is widely accepted that the inhalation of aerosol droplets from cases with high mycobacterial loads is the most common mechanism. Leprosy affects the skin and peripheral nerves and has been a focus of a worldwide eradication campaign by the World Health Organisation which has been largely successful. Treatment is with the use of a multi drug therapy with Dapsone, Rifampicin and Clofazamin for 6 to 12 months depending on the type of leprosy.
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