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Current status of leprosy: Epidemiology, basic science and clinical perspectives
Author(s) -
SUZUKI Koichi,
AKAMA Takeshi,
KAWASHIMA Akira,
YOSHIHARA Aya,
YOTSU Rie R.,
ISHII Norihisa
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
the journal of dermatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.9
H-Index - 65
eISSN - 1346-8138
pISSN - 0385-2407
DOI - 10.1111/j.1346-8138.2011.01370.x
Subject(s) - leprosy , mycobacterium leprae , epidemiology , disease , medicine , immunology , tuberculosis , immune status , immune system , pathology
Leprosy has affected humans for millennia and remains an important health problem worldwide, as evidenced by nearly 250 000 new cases detected every year. It is a chronic infectious disorder, caused by Mycobacterium leprae , that primarily affects the skin and peripheral nerves. Recent advances in basic science have improved our knowledge of the disease. Variation in the cellular immune response is the basis of a range of clinical manifestations. The introduction of multidrug therapy has significantly contributed to a decrease in the prevalence of the disease. However, leprosy control activities, including monitoring and prevention programs, must be maintained.