Infection with Mycobacterium leprae
Bacteria multiply in the macrophages and Schwann cells of peripheral nerves
Clinical spectrum: from tuberculoid (paucibacillary) to lepromatous (multibacillary)
Thickened nerves with neuritis: trophic, motor and sensory disturbances
Neuropathy leads to paralysis, trophic ulcers, blindness, mutilations
Skin : numb white area with elevated edge (TT) to diffuse infiltration with nodules (LL).
In lepromatous leprosy also involvement of deeper tissues (testes, tongue, eyes, etc.)
Diagnosis clinical, Ziehl staining of smears (skin lesion, nose, earlobe)
Treatment of leprosy with dapsone, rifampicin, clofazimine
Leprosy reactions: type 1 (change in immunologic defence) and type 2 (immune complex)
