• Leprosy is a contagious chronic bacterial disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae which is characterised by the chronic infection of the skin and other tissues. 

Mode of transmission of Leprosy (Hansen’s disease) 

• The incubation period is very long and averages upto 2-5 years. 

• Infection occurs by prolonged contact with leprosy patients. 

• The bacilli leave the body in nasal discharge, from the throat during coughing, sneezing and even speaking and through broken skin lesions. 

Symptoms of Leprosy (Hansen’s disease) 

These include appearance of light coloured patches on the skin, thickening of the nerves, partial or total loss of sensation in the affected parts of the body. 

• These are accompanied by fever, pain, ulcers and skin eruptions. Deformities of toes and fingers may also develop. Lepromin test is used to evaluate leprosy using an intradermal injection of a lepromin. This test classifies the type of leprosy based on reaction. 

• Tuberculoid leprosy gives positive test with lepromin while lepromatous leprosy is negative to lepromin test. Prevention and treatment of Leprosy (Hansen’s disease) 

• No vaccine is available. 

• Leprosy is treated with drugs like rifampicin, dapsone, and clofazimine.