Leprosy

Leprosy (Hansen’s Disease), is a chronic infectious disease that primarily affects the peripheral nerves, skin, upper respiratory tract, eyes, and nasal mucosa. The disease is caused by a bacillus (rod-shaped) bacterium known as Mycobacterium leprae (M. leprae).

What is Leprosy?

Leprosy is a chronic infection caused by the bacillus Mycobacterium leprae. It affects the skin, the peripheral nerves and the upper part of the airway, or the testes. It is transmitted by prolonged contact, usually through aerosols containing the nasal secretions, or droplets from these fluids. However, 95% of people are naturally immune to the infection. It can also be transmitted from mother to child via the placenta.

Leprosy Diagnosis and Classification

Leprosy Epidemiology

Leprosy Prevention and Vaccination

Leprosy Treatment

Forms of Leprosy

Genetics and Susceptibility to Leprosy

Signs and Symptoms of Leprosy

History of Leprosy

Leprosy Causes

Leprosy Complications

Notable Cases of Leprosy

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Leprosy Research

Leprosy Stigma

Latest Leprosy News and Research

Countries should step-up leprosy prevention initiatives to accelerate decline in new cases

New cases of leprosy are decreasing, but not at the anticipated rate. In order to accelerate the annual decline, countries should screen contacts and treat eligible contacts with single-dose rifampicin, as recommended by the World Health Organization in its guidelines.

8 Sep 2020

A road map to find unanswered questions about COVID-19

There are many unanswered questions about COVID-19. A Kansas State University infectious disease scientist and collaborators are offering a possible research road map to find the answers.

15 May 2020

Global funding for neglected disease research reaches a record high

For the first time, global funding for neglected disease R&D grew for three consecutive years, reaching a record high of more than US$4.05 billion in 2018.

30 Jan 2020

Deadly infection in cystic fibrosis could be curbed with combination medication

Researchers from Aston University and Birmingham Children’s Hospital have developed a new medication regimen that could successfully treat a bacterial infection that could prove fatal to patients with cystic fibrosis or bronchiectasis. The results of the new study were published in the latest issue of the journal Scientific Reports.

27 Jan 2020

Study shows non-TB lung infections rising; more in women and older people

Each year, more and more people are getting mycobacterial lung infections, and the total number living with such diseases is going up, according to a new study published in the journal Annals of the American Thoracic Society. Those at greatest risk are people above the age of 65 years and the elderly.

15 Dec 2019

Novartis announces strategy to broaden patient reach and availability of medicines in sub-Saharan Africa

Novartis announced today a new strategy to broaden patient reach and availability of its portfolio of medicines in sub-Saharan Africa, which is home to the largest underserved patient population in the world.

13 Nov 2019

Scientists review benefits and challenges of using film in public health research

The research community is increasingly recognizing video as more than just a medium to disseminate scientific findings after a study's conclusion.

25 Sep 2019

Researchers develop new method to accurately identify nontuberculous mycobacteria

The bacterial genus Mycobacterium has the dubious honor of including species responsible for two of the best-known chronic human infectious diseases: tuberculosis and leprosy.

30 Jul 2019

Medical students improve Wikipedia articles on skin-related diseases

A group of medical students recruited to improve Wikipedia articles on skin-related diseases, saw millions more views of those stories following their editing, highlighting the value of expert input on the popular web encyclopedia.

4 Apr 2019

Mayo clinic researchers discuss local case studies of leprosy

Leprosy has a history that has spanned centuries and societies across the globe. Yet, it continues to be a problem -- even in the modern era.

21 Feb 2019

Researchers discover promising new compound against Buruli ulcer

Buruli ulcer - one of the most neglected among the NTDs - is a debilitating and stigmatizing disease. Affecting mainly children in West and Central Africa, the chronic disease results in devastating skin lesions and can lead to permanent disfigurement and long-term disabilities.

18 Dec 2018

Slime in showerheads could harbour dangerous lung bacteria finds study

A study has shown that the showerheads contain slime that can be home to potentially dangerous bacteria which lead to severe lung disease. Mycobacterial bacteria are responsible for lung diseases explain experts.

4 Nov 2018

New ReFRAME drug repurposing collection offers hope for treating major diseases

Each year, millions of people worldwide suffer from potentially fatal infectious diseases that often leave survivors facing a lifetime of related health problems. But what if drugs against such diseases already existed but nobody knew it?

4 Oct 2018

Effective vaccines for world's most prevalent infectious diseases are missing from pipeline

Many of the vaccines critically needed to fight some of the world's most prevalent infectious diseases are not likely to be developed, a new analysis of current candidates in the research and development pipeline has found.

5 Sep 2018

Scientists uncover genes responsible for drug resistance in Leprosy bacterium

In a new study, scientists have uncovered the genes responsible for antibiotic resistance in strains of M. leprae, the bacterium that causes leprosy.

26 Jan 2018

Genome analysis reveals leprosy's origin and drug resistance

Leprosy is an infectious disease with gruesome symptoms. It damages the skin, peripheral nerves, the upper respiratory tract, and the eyes.

24 Jan 2018

WHO marching toward extraordinary progress against neglected tropical diseases, report reveals

Since 2007, the World Health Organization (WHO) has been reporting outstanding success in dealing with neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) with 1 billion people estimated to have received treatments in 2015.

19 Apr 2017

Archaeologist discovers 800-year-old genomes from bacterial infection in Byzantine skeleton

Eight hundred years ago, in a hardscrabble farming community on the outskirts of what was once one of the fabled cities of the ancient world, Troy, a 30-year-old woman was laid to rest in a stone-lined grave.

10 Jan 2017

NTM lung infections

Nontuberculous mycobacteria are part of a group of bacteria called mycobacteria. The non-tuberculous mycobacteria are, as the name suggests, mycobacteria that are not tuberculosis. They're also not leprosy, but they are the other members of the bacteria group termed mycobacteria.

23 Nov 2016

Virginia Tech scientists solve structure of enzyme that deactivates important antibiotic

A popular antibiotic called rifampicin, used to treat tuberculosis, leprosy, and Legionnaire's disease, is becoming less effective as the bacteria that cause the diseases develop more resistance.

7 Oct 2016