Mycobacterium Leprae

Question 1

Temperature

Answer 1

Leprae thrives in cool temperature (extremities of body)

Question 2

Shared features with TB

Answer 2

Acid-fast (mycolic acids take up acid-fast stain aka carbolfuschin stain)

Question 3

Reservoir

Answer 3

Armadillos

Question 4

Other names

Answer 4

Hansen’s dz

Question 5

Two forms of dz

Answer 5

Tuberculoid

Lepromatous

Question 6

Tuberculoid Response

Answer 6

Th1 response- mediate cell-mediated immunity; leprae is contained within Mphages
S&S: mild, well-demarcated, hairless, skin plaque (anywhere around the body)

Lepromin skin test- tests for the presence of an immune reaction (similar to TB testing); + means that the cell is able to effectively fight bacteria

Question 7

Lepromatous Response

Answer 7

Th2 mediated humoral response; generally has weak Th1 response

Bacteria unable to be contained within Mphages- triggers humoral response

High chance of being spread from human to human (perhaps through respiratory droplets)

S&S: Symmetric neuropathy in glove and stocking patterns; lesions seen in extensor surfaces in extremities; profound facial deformities (leonine facies- loss of eyebrows, thickening); S&S- may be irreversible

Question 8

Treatment

Answer 8

Multi-drug therapy

TH1 dominant (tuberculoid)- dapsome and rifampin

Lepromatous: dapsone, rifampin, clofazimine (2-5 years)