Leprosy overview: Difference between revisions
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==Overview== | ==Overview== | ||
'''Leprosy''', or '''Hansen's disease''', is a [[chronic]] [[infectious disease]] caused by the [[Bacteria|bacterium]] ''[[Mycobacterium leprae]]''.<ref name=Sasaki_2001>{{cite journal |author=Sasaki S, Takeshita F, Okuda K, Ishii N |title=Mycobacterium leprae and leprosy: a compendium |journal=Microbiol Immunol |volume=45 |issue=11 |pages=729-36 |year=2001 |url = http://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/mandi/45/11/729/_pdf |pmid=11791665}}</ref> Leprosy is primarily a [[granuloma]]tous disease of the [[peripheral nerves]] and [[mucosa]] of the [[upper respiratory tract]]; skin lesions are the primary external symptom.<ref name=Sherris /> Left untreated, leprosy can be progressive, causing permanent damage to the skin, nerves, limbs, and eyes. Contrary to popular conception, leprosy does not cause body parts to simply fall off, and it differs from tzaraath, the malady described in the Hebrew scriptures and previously translated into English as ''leprosy''.<ref>Leviticus 13:59, Artscroll Tanakh and Metsudah Chumash translations, 1996 and 1994, respectively.</ref> | |||
Historically, has affected humanity since at least 300 BC, and was well-recognized in the civilizations of ancient China, Egypt and India.<ref name=WHO_Factsheet>{{cite web | title = Leprosy | work = WHO | url = http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs101/en/ | accessdate = 2007-08-22}}</ref> In 1995, the [[World Health Organization]] (WHO) estimated that between two and three million individuals were permanently disabled because of leprosy.<ref name=WHO_1995>{{cite journal |author=WHO|title=Leprosy disabilities: magnitude of the problem |journal=Weekly Epidemiological Record |volume=70 |issue=38 |pages=269-75 |year=1995 |pmid=7577430}}</ref> Although the forced [[quarantine]] or segregation of patients is unnecessary—and can be considered unethical—a few [[leper colony|leper colonies]] still remain around the world, in countries such as India, and Vietnam. | |||
The age-old [[social stigma]] associated with the advanced form of leprosy lingers in many areas, and remains a major obstacle to self-reporting and early treatment. Effective treatment for leprosy appeared in the late 1940s with the introduction of [[dapsone]] and its derivatives. However, leprosy bacilli resistant to dapsone gradually [[Antibiotic resistance|evolved]] and became widespread, and it was not until the introduction of multidrug therapy (MDT) in the early 1980s that the disease could be diagnosed and treated successfully within the community. | |||
==References== | ==References== | ||
Revision as of 18:29, 8 February 2012
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Overview
Leprosy, or Hansen's disease, is a chronic infectious disease caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium leprae.[1] Leprosy is primarily a granulomatous disease of the peripheral nerves and mucosa of the upper respiratory tract; skin lesions are the primary external symptom.[2] Left untreated, leprosy can be progressive, causing permanent damage to the skin, nerves, limbs, and eyes. Contrary to popular conception, leprosy does not cause body parts to simply fall off, and it differs from tzaraath, the malady described in the Hebrew scriptures and previously translated into English as leprosy.[3]
Historically, has affected humanity since at least 300 BC, and was well-recognized in the civilizations of ancient China, Egypt and India.[4] In 1995, the World Health Organization (WHO) estimated that between two and three million individuals were permanently disabled because of leprosy.[5] Although the forced quarantine or segregation of patients is unnecessary—and can be considered unethical—a few leper colonies still remain around the world, in countries such as India, and Vietnam.
The age-old social stigma associated with the advanced form of leprosy lingers in many areas, and remains a major obstacle to self-reporting and early treatment. Effective treatment for leprosy appeared in the late 1940s with the introduction of dapsone and its derivatives. However, leprosy bacilli resistant to dapsone gradually evolved and became widespread, and it was not until the introduction of multidrug therapy (MDT) in the early 1980s that the disease could be diagnosed and treated successfully within the community.
References
- ↑ Sasaki S, Takeshita F, Okuda K, Ishii N (2001). "Mycobacterium leprae and leprosy: a compendium". Microbiol Immunol. 45 (11): 729–36. PMID 11791665.
- ↑
- ↑ Leviticus 13:59, Artscroll Tanakh and Metsudah Chumash translations, 1996 and 1994, respectively.
- ↑ "Leprosy". WHO. Retrieved 2007-08-22.
- ↑ WHO (1995). "Leprosy disabilities: magnitude of the problem". Weekly Epidemiological Record. 70 (38): 269–75. PMID 7577430.