1. BASIC FACTS OF LEPROSY Presented by DR. Md. Asadozzaman
Asstt. Registrar of Dermatology & Venereology, MMCH
Chief Guide :
Dr. Shahab Uddin Ahmed Chowdhury
Asso. Prof. of
Dermatology & Venereology, MMCH
Date :

4. Origin of the Name Lepros – Greek Word means scaly
Kustha from ‘Kusthani’ means eaten away
Leper – means person suffering from leprosy

5. Definition
Most chronic, communicable, grannulomatous, infectious disease, primarily of skin & peripheral nerves but may involve all organs of the body except CNS, GIT & Lungs, caused by Mycobacterium Leprae.

6. Historical Background
Oldest scourge of man kind
Probably originated in India
The Vedas written about instruction for prevention of Leprosy in 1400 B.C.

7. Contd…………
First authentic description and treatment with chaulmoogra oil is given in Sushruta Samita in 600 B.C.
The Hindo’s Lord Krishno’s son Samba had developed kustha

8. Contd……
Mycobacterium Leprae Bacilli first discovered by Norway Scientist Hansen in He had made unsuccessful attempt to infect himself as well as his chief and Father-in-Law Dr. Danielssen with material from leprosy patient.

9. Epidemiology Population at risk in the world – 1.6 Billions
Total No of Leprosy cases in the world 1.5 Millions
Endemic areas – 83% of Leprosy cases concentrated in only 5 countries – India, Brazil, Nigeria, Myanmar & Indonesia. Nearly 75% of world’s Leprosy patients are in South East Asia.
Highest No of Leprosy – In India (Bihar, Uttar Pradesh)

10. Contd…………. Highly prevalent in Central Africa
Incubation Period : 2 – 5 years
Source of Infection : Infected Human considered as the only Source of Leprosy
Mode of Transmission: Close & prolonged contact is necessary, the nose is the prime portal of exit of the Bacilli.
High Natural Immunity – 95%
Affects all ages & Sexes

11. Present Status of Leprosy in Bangladesh
Reg. prevalence – 31/12/2002
Total Cases – 8943
SLPB – 421
PB – 4300
MB – 4222
Prevalence Rate : 0.63/10000
Detection – 9844
SLPB – 851
PB – 5489
MB – 3504
SSS : positive – 772
Child : 1101
Detection Rate – 0.762/10000

12. Bacteriology Common Name : Bacillus of Hansen
Morphology : Pleomorphic straight or slightly curved rod like, gram positive bacteria
Staining Properties by the Zeil Neelsen Method. Bacilli appears as solid staining (viable), fragmented and granular (dead bacilli)
Life Span – 6 months
Cannot grown in artificial media or tissue culture
Generation Time : 10 – 14 days

13. Technique of Bacteriological Examination
Slit Skin Smear
Nose Blow Smear
Nasal Scraping

19. Reading of Smears BI – Density of Leprosy Bacilli in smears
MI – Percentage of living Bacilli among total
SFG – Percentage of solid, fragmented & granular Bacilli

20. TREATMENT MDT – Multi Drug Therapy FDT – Fixed Duration Treatment
RFT – Release From Treatment