Mycobacterium Leprae Flashcards
1
Q
Morphology
A
mycolic acid cell envelope
does not gram stain
cannot culture in vitro
2
Q
Classification/diagnosis
A
history, exam, biopsy
3
Q
Pathology
A
replicates in skin, nasal mucosa, distal extremities, preferences for cooler temperatures
4
Q
Epidemiology
A
250k new cases per year worldwide, concentrated in tropics, 100-200 per/yr in US
spread by nasal secretions, respiratory droplets
5
Q
Diseases/symptoms
A
infiltrative skin lesions, nerve damage,
multibacillary/lepromatous disease (many bacteria and few lymphocytes, severe disease, facial tissue damage)
paucibacilliary/tuberculoid leprosy (few bacteria and many lymphocytes, less severe disease)
6
Q
Treatment/Vaccinations
A
prolonged multi-drug regimen of rifampin, dapsone, clofazimine
