What Causes Leprosy?
Leprosy is caused by Mycobacterium leprae which was discovered by Gerhard Armauer Hansen in Norway in 1873 as the first bacterium for causing the disease. The disease gets transmitted from the infected person through their respiratory droplets and hence it is an airborne disease. Most people have natural immunity against the bacteria and only 5% are vulnerable to the disease.
Mycobacterium leprae
Mycobacterium leprae is a slow-growing gram-positive rod-shaped bacteria that causes Hensen’s disease by affecting the peripheral system. It has a narrow host range, apart from humans it also affects red squirrels and armadillos.
The bacterium is acid-fast as it has a thick, waxy cell wall that is resistant to certain environmental and chemical stress. One of the main characteristics of the bacteria is that its replication is prolonged and its doubling time is approximately about 14 days. The M. leprae bacteria is an obligate intracellular pathogen that can survive and multiply only inside the cell of the host. The bacterium primarily affects the Schwan cells that are responsible for immune response and nerve function.
Also Read: Do Bacteria Reproduce Sexually or Asexually?
What is Leprosy?
Leprosy, also called Hansen’s disease, is a chronic infectious disease caused by the slow-growing bacteria Mycobacterium leprae. It primarily affects the skin, peripheral nerves, eyes, and mucosal surfaces of the upper respiratory tract. Leprosy is broadly categorized into paucibacillary (tuberculoid) and multibacillary (lepromatous) forms, each with distinct clinical presentations and implications. Leprosy symptoms include skin lesions, nerve damage, and muscle weakness. Multi-antibiotic therapy, including drugs like rifampicin and dapsone, is effective in treating leprosy, particularly when diagnosed and treated early.
Table of Content
- What is Leprosy Disease?
- What Causes Leprosy?
- How is Leprosy Transmitted?
- Leprosy Symptoms
- Types of Leprosy Disease
- Diagnosis of Leprosy
- What are the Complications of Leprosy?
- Leprosy Treatment