LEPROSY

Leprosy is a chronic infectious disease caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium leprae which attacks the skin, respiratory tract and peripheral nerves.

Leprosy is transmitted by:

Contact with the skin of leprosy patients for a long time
Close contact and transmission from the air (droplets) over a long period of time
Signs and symptoms of leprosy:

White or reddish patches on the skin that are numb
Peripheral nerve damage (thickening, swelling, movement disorders, dry skin, hair loss)
Acid-fast bacteria were found in laboratory tests


In addition to the cardinal signs above, the anamnesis shows:

History of contact with leprosy patients
Family background with a history of living in endemic areas
History of previous leprosy treatment.

Types of leprosy based on WHO, 1988:

Pausibasilar (PB)
This includes leprosy of the TT and BT types according to Ridley-Jopling and the Indeterminate (I) type with negative smear.

Multibasilar
Leprosy types BB, BL, LL according to Ridley-Jopling and all types of leprosy with positive smear.

Types of leprosy (according to Ridley-Jopling):

Indeterminate leprosy: white patches on the skin that are numb
Tuberculoid leprosy (TT): reddish spots on a rough surface, the center looks normal and numb.
Borderline Tuberculoid (BT) Leprosy: Red, rough, numb spots with surrounding red spots.
Borderline-borderline (BB) leprosy: reddish spots that are shaped like a numb donut.
Borderline Leprosy (BL) leprosy: reddish spots that are numb like hives in several parts of the body.
Lepromatous-leprosy leprosy (LL): white or reddish spots that are numb with lumps all over the body and loss of eyebrows, changes in the shape of the nose, ears and face.

Treatment for leprosy is given for 6-18 months, depending on the type of leprosy the patient has.



Skin reactions due to leprosy:

Spots on the skin appear clearer and more active after receiving treatment


Painful red bumps appear all over the body and can be accompanied by fever
Examinations that can be done to diagnose leprosy:

Scrapings of skin tissue on the earlobes or patches on the skin with Ziehl-Neelsen staining.
Tissue biopsy if the skin scraping results are in doubt.
Serology tests (anti-PGL-1, IgM, IgG) or PCR.
Complications that can occur due to leprosy:

Numb skin is easily injured and difficult to heal until ulcers appear.


Permanent disability that can interfere with the patient's daily activities
Prevention of disability in leprosy:

Use personal protective equipment when on the move.
Control regularly and report any new complaints that arise to the doctor in charge.
If a nervous breakdown has appeared, you should consult a physiotherapy department.