Despite enhanced disease control efforts, leprosy remains an important cause of disability
in several countries. Being based on case detection, the exact prevalence of the disease
is not easily estimated. Currently around 600,000 new cases are treated annually.
Advances in immunology and molecular biology have led to a greater understanding of
the disease and to hopes for improved diagnostic tests and vaccination strategies.
The major advance, though, is the development of highly effective combination drug
regimens which, provided all doses are taken, rarely fails to cure. The challenge
to leprosy control services is to overcome the stigma associated with the disease
so that patients present with minimal lesions and before disabilities have developed.
Although it is hoped that leprosy as a serious public health problem will be eliminated
within a few years, continuing care for those suffering from deformity and rejection
by society will be required for several decades.
KEYWORDS
Leprosy -
Mycobacterium leprae
- hypersensitivity reactions - multi-drug therapy - vaccination - stigma
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John M GrangeM.Sc. M.D.
Centre for Infectious Diseases and International Health, Royal Free and University
College Medical School, Windeyer Institute for Medical Sciences
46 Cleveland Street, London, W1T 4JF, UK
Email: sophia@hagia.freserve.co.uk