Leprosy

Leprosy is an infectious disease caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium leprae. This disease causes skin sores, nerve damage, and muscle weakness that gets worse over time.

Causes

Leprosy is not very contagious and has a long incubation period (time before symptoms appear), which makes it hard to know where or when someone caught the disease. Children are more likely than adults to get the disease.

Most people who come in contact with the bacteria don't develop the disease. This is because their immune system is able to fight off the bacteria. Experts believe that the bacteria spread when a person breathes in tiny airborne droplets released when someone with leprosy coughs or sneezes. The bacteria may also be passed on by coming into contact with the nasal fluids of a person with leprosy. Leprosy has two common forms: tuberculoid and lepromatous. Both forms produce sores on the skin. However, the lepromatous form is more severe. It causes large lumps and bumps (nodules).

Leprosy is common in many countries worldwide, and in temperate, tropical, and subtropical climates. About 100 cases per year are diagnosed in the United States. Most cases are in the South, California, Hawaii, and US islands, and Guam.

Drug-resistant Mycobacterium leprae and an increased numbers of cases worldwide have led to global concern for this disease.

Symptoms

Symptoms include:

• Skin lesions that are lighter than your normal skin color

  Skin lesions

  Rashes involve changes in the color, feeling or texture of your skin.

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• Lesions that have decreased sensation to touch, heat, or pain

  Decreased sensation

  Numbness and tingling are abnormal sensations that can occur anywhere in your body, but they are often felt in your fingers, hands, feet, arms, or le...

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• Lesions that do not heal after several weeks to months
• Muscle weakness

  Muscle weakness

  Weakness is reduced strength in one or more muscles.

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• Numbness or lack of feeling in the hands, arms, feet, and legs

  Numbness

  Numbness and tingling are abnormal sensations that can occur anywhere in your body, but they are often felt in your fingers, hands, feet, arms, or le...

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Exams and Tests

Tests that are done include:

• Skin lesion biopsy

  Skin lesion biopsy

  A skin lesion biopsy is when a small amount of skin is removed so it can be examined. The skin is tested to look for skin conditions or diseases. A...

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• Skin scraping examination

  Skin scraping

  A skin lesion biopsy is when a small amount of skin is removed so it can be examined. The skin is tested to look for skin conditions or diseases. A...

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The lepromin skin test can be used to tell the two different forms of leprosy apart, but the test isn't used to diagnose the disease.

Treatment

Several antibiotics are used to kill the bacteria that cause the disease. These include dapsone, rifampin, clofazamine, fluoroquinolones, macrolides, and minocycline. More than one antibiotic is often given together, and usually for months.

Aspirin, prednisone, or thalidomide is used to control inflammation.

Outlook (Prognosis)

Diagnosing the disease early is important. Early treatment limits damage, prevents a person from spreading the disease, and reduces long-term complications.

Possible Complications

Health problems that may result from leprosy include:

• Disfigurement
• Muscle weakness
• Permanent nerve damage in the arms and legs
• Loss of sensation

  Loss of sensation

  Numbness and tingling are abnormal sensations that can occur anywhere in your body, but they are often felt in your fingers, hands, feet, arms, or le...

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People with long-term leprosy may lose the use of their hands or feet due to repeated injury because they lack feeling in those areas.

When to Contact a Medical Professional

Call your health care provider if you have symptoms of leprosy, especially if you have had contact with someone who has the disease. Cases of leprosy in the United States are reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Prevention

People on long-term medicine become noninfectious. This means they do not transmit the organism that causes the disease.