Mycobacterium leprae

Question 1

Initial symptom

Answer 1

-whitened, anesthetized skin area

Question 2

Initial symptom progresses to

Answer 2

1. tuberculoid leprosy: macular lesions, nerves on one side
2. Lepromatous leprosy: progressive nodular lesions; bilateral nerve death leads to bone resorption and loss of extremities

Question 3

Epidemiology of M. leprae

Answer 3

• 10m cases worldwide, Asia and Africa
• transmitted by long term contact
• incubation 2-20yrs
• natural infection only in humans and armadillos

Question 4

Pathogenesis of M. leprae

Answer 4

• mainly an inflammatory disease
• inflammation damages nerve endings
• hyposensitivity can lead to soft tissue damage or even bone loss

Question 5

Control of M. leprae

Answer 5

• Dapsone(sulfone) + rifampin(6-9) months

- double treatment reduces sulfone resistance