Leprosy: Review of the Epidemiological, Clinical, and Etiopathogenic Aspects - Part 1

Overview

Journal An Bras Dermatol

Specialty Dermatology

Date 2014 Apr 29

PMID 24770495

Citations 105

Authors

Joel Carlos Lastoria

Marilda Aparecida Milanez Morgado de Abreu

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Leprosy is caused by Mycobacterium leprae and has been known since biblical times. It is still endemic in many regions of the world and a public health problem in Brazil. The prevalence rate in 2011 reached 1.54 cases per 10,000 inhabitants in Brazil. The mechanism of transmission of leprosy consists of prolonged close contact between susceptible and genetically predisposed individuals and untreated multibacillary patients. Transmission occurs through inhalation of bacilli present in upper airway secretion. The nasal mucosa is the main entry or exit route of M. leprae. The deeper understanding of the structural and biological characteristics of M. leprae, the sequencing of its genome, along with the advances in understanding the mechanisms of host immune response against the bacilli, dependent on genetic susceptibility, have contributed to the understanding of the pathogenesis, variations in the clinical characteristics, and progression of the disease. This article aims to update dermatologist on epidemiological, clinical, and etiopathogenic leprosy aspects.

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