1. Leprosy (Hansen’s Disease)
Amanda Lee
BIOL 402

2. Leprosy is caused by Mycobacterium leprae
Scollard, DM et al “The continuing challenges of leprosy.”
Clinical microbiology reviews 19, no. 2:

3. Discovered by Gerhard Armauer Hansen in 1873
Global Project on the History of Leprosy

4. Bacteria Resides in Cooler Parts of the Body
Skin
Peripheral Nerves

5. Symptoms & Diagnosis: (1) Skin Lesions
Worobec, Sophie M “Treatment of leprosy/Hansen's disease in the early 21st century.” Dermatologic therapy 22, no. 6:

6. Symptoms & Diagnosis: (2) Skin Smear Tests
Ziehl Neelsen Carbol Fuchsin Stain (ZNCF)
Global Project on the History of Leprosy

7. Transmission
Nasal/oral Droplets
Dermal Inoculations

8. Immunocompromised individuals are more susceptible to disease

9. Mechanism of Nerve Damage
Entry Through Blood Vessels
2. Inflammatory Response
3. Demyelination
Scollard, DM et al “The continuing challenges of leprosy.”
Clinical microbiology reviews 19, no. 2:

10. Outcomes of Nerve Damage
Sensory Loss
Paralysis
Deformities
Leprosy: eMedicine Infectious Diseases

11. Sensory Loss Can Lead to Secondary Infections and Severe Deformities
International Federation of Anti-Leprosy Associations (ILEP)

12. 1941: Discovery of Dapsone Targets dihydropteroate synthase (DHPS)
Inhibits nucleic acid synthesis

13. 1964: Dapsone Resistance from Missense Mutations in DHPS
Matsuoka, Masanori M “Drug Resistance in Leprosy.” Japanese journal of infectious diseases 63, no. 1: 1-7.

14. 1960’s: Rifampicin and Clofazimine Discovered
Rifampicin (Rifampin): Inhibit RNA synthesis
Clofazimine:
Anti-inflammatory

15. 1981: WHO Proposes Multi-Drug Therapy (MDT)
Combination of DAPSONE, RIFAMPICIN, and CLOFAZIMINE + +

16. The Nippon Foundation

17. 1995: WHO Distributes MDT Drugs for Free to Worldwide Patients

18. 1999: Global Alliance to Eliminate Leprosy As a Public Health Problem

19. Obstacles to Eliminating Leprosy in Endemic Countries
STIGMA
World Health Organization “Leprosy: Learning from Success.”
WHO Publications on Leprosy.

20. Integrated Primary Health Services
Overcoming Stigma
Mass Media
Integrated Primary Health Services
Education & Training

21. Worobec, Sophie M. 2009. “Treatment of leprosy/Hansen's disease in the early 21st century.”
Dermatologic therapy 22, no. 6:

22. References
Leprosy Today. “Leprosy: The Disease.” World Health Organization. (accessed February ).
Matsuoka, Masanori M “Drug Resistance in Leprosy.” Japanese journal of infectious diseases 63, no. 1: (accessed February 25, 2010).
National Hansen’s Disease (Leprosy) Program. “Hansen’s Disease (Leprosy) Facts.” U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Accessed February
Scollard, DM, LB Adams, TP Gillis, JL Krahenbuhl , RW Truman, and DL Williams “The continuing challenges of leprosy.” Clinical microbiology reviews 19, no. 2: (accessed February 25, 2010).
Worobec, Sophie M “Treatment of leprosy/Hansen's disease in the early 21st century.” Dermatologic therapy 22, no. 6: (accessed February 25, 2010.