01785nas a2200205   4500000000100000008004100001653001200042653001400054653001400068653001300082653002200095653002500117100001400142245007400156856006200230300001200292490000700304520125400311022001401565       2017                            d10aleprosy10adiagnosis10aTreatment10aoverview10aClinical features10aMycobacterium leprae1 aFischer M00aLeprosy - an overview of clinical features, diagnosis, and treatment.  uhttp://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/ddg.13301/epdf  a801-8270 v153 a<p>Leprosy is a chronic infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium (M.) leprae. Worldwide, 210,758 new cases were diagnosed in 2015. The highest incidence is found in India, Brazil, and Indonesia. While the exact route of transmission remains unknown, nasal droplet infection is thought to be most likely. The pathogen primarily affects the skin and peripheral nervous system. The disease course is determined by individual host immunity. Clinically, multibacillary lepromatous variants are distinguished from paucibacillary tuberculoid forms. Apart from the various characteristic skin lesions, the condition is marked by damage to the peripheral nervous system. Advanced disease is characterized by disfiguring mutilations. Current treatment options are based on WHO recommendations. Early treatment frequently results in complete remission without sequelae. While paucibacillary forms are treated with rifampicin and dapsone for at least six months, multibacillary leprosy is treated for at least twelve months, additionally requiring clofazimine. Leprosy reactions during therapy may considerably aggravate the disease course. Besides individual treatment, WHO-supported preventive measures and strategies play a key role in endemic areas.</p>
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