01945nas a2200265   4500000000100000008004100001260001300042653001200055653001100067653002800078653002100106653002700127653006100154653002600215653012000241100001600361700001500377245009100392856006800483300001100551490000700562050001700569520107900586022001401665       2014                            d  c2014 Apr10aleprosy10aReview10aEpidemiological aspects10aClinical aspects10aEtiopathogenic aspects10aClassification; Clinical diagnosis; Disease transmission10ainfectious; Education10acontinuing; Epidemiology; Genetic phenomena; Immunologic factors; Leprosy; Mycobacterium leprae; Signs and symptoms1 aLastória J1 aAbreu MAMM00aLeprosy: review of the epidemiological, clinical, and etiopathogenic aspects - Part 1.  uhttp://www.scielo.br/pdf/abd/v89n2/0365-0596-abd-89-02-0205.pdf  a205-180 v89  aLASTORIA20143 aLeprosy is caused by Mycobacterium leprae and has been known since biblical times. It is still endemic in many regions of the world and a public health problem in Brazil. The prevalence rate in 2011 reached 1.54 cases per 10,000 inhabitants in Brazil. The mechanism of transmission of leprosy consists of prolonged close contact between susceptible and genetically predisposed individuals and untreated multibacillary patients. Transmission occurs through inhalation of bacilli present in upper airway secretion. The nasal mucosa is the main entry or exit route of M. leprae. The deeper understanding of the structural and biological characteristics of M. leprae, the sequencing of its genome, along with the advances in understanding the mechanisms of host immune response against the bacilli, dependent on genetic susceptibility, have contributed to the understanding of the pathogenesis, variations in the clinical characteristics, and progression of the disease. This article aims to update dermatologist on epidemiological, clinical, and etiopathogenic leprosy aspects.  a1806-4841