Leprosy - Causes

Creator: Dr. Sangamithra
Keywords: Leprosy causes, mycobacterium leprae, acid-fast bacillus, respiratory tract, skin infections

Written by - Dr. Sangamithra, MBBS

Medically Reviewed by - Dr. Ramya Ananthakrishnan, MD

Last Updated on Aug 07, 2020

Leprosy - Causes

Leprosy is caused by Mycobacterium leprae, which is an aerobic (oxygen dependant) rod shaped acid-fast bacillus that spreads through droplet infection. It has never been grown in culture media but has been grown in footpads of the nine-banded armadillos. This bacterium has a long incubation period of 5 years in man and multiplies very slowly. Children are more susceptible than adults. Man is the only source of infection. They mainly spread through droplet infection. A large number of bacteria are shed in the nasal secretions and from the superficial lesions and nasal secretions of the multibacillary type of leprosy.

Mode of entry: respiratory tract or skin.

Asymptomatic infections are very common.

Published on Nov 24, 2014
Last Updated on Aug 07, 2020

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sureshbbau768

hi this is sureshbabu.i have effected with hanseen disease,and i used MDT for one and half year,and doctors told to stop me and do some exercise..now main problem is one of my right hand fingers are clawed and it is shivering,and my skin turn into black on my face....tell me it is dangerous disease..how could i solve it i am doing small exercises but my fingers are same..please tell me and please helping to me...and my thinking too much on this unable to concentrate on anyhing...can i go to physiotheraphy...will the fingers come into normal...or can i go GYM and do exercises please please please help me....

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shahnikunj

its avery informative article thank you

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gayani

Is it dangerous in any way to make a patient who is undergoing treatment take up writing exercises as physiotherapy to get the fingers working again?The fingers are clawed in the right hand and the patient has been asked o come in for physiotherapy sessions as well

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innocent14

Thanks a lot for providing qualitative & updated news about leprosy.Really this website has enhanced my leprosy knowledge.

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dearmehraj

i am a medical student requires a detail study of leprosy for seminar & i found your website very informative. Thank you, best regards.

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