Hansen s disease

Leprosy, also referred to as Hansen s disease, is caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium leprae. Although rare in colder climates, this disease may be seen in tropical and subtropical zones. Dapsone and clofazimine (Lamprene) are the two drags currently used to treat leprosy. The leprostatic drugs are listed in the Summaiy Drug Table Leprostatic Dragp. 

Leprosy (Hansen s disease) is a chronic granulomatous disease that attacks superficial tissues such as the skin, nasal mucosa, and peripheral nerves. There are two types of leprosy, lepromatous and tuberculoid. The sulfones, which are derivatives of 4,4 -diaminodiphenylsulfone, are bacteriostatic. 

Leprosy (Hansen s disease) is caused by M- leprae. Bacilli from skin lesions or nasal discharges of infected patients enter susceptible individuals via the skin or respiratory tract. The World Health Organization recommends the triple drug regimen, dapsone, clofazimine, and rifampin (see p. 333) for 6 to 24 months. 

Although it is a potent teratogen (a substance that causes fetal abnormalities), thalidomide exhibits severai beneficial effects. It is now prescribed under strict control for the treatment of Hansen s disease (ieprosy) and certain forms of cancer. 

Kaulapapa is a remote and inaccessible peninsula on the Hawaiian island of Molokai that has served as home for individuals suffering from Hansen s disease, commonly called leprosy. Once thought to be very contagious, Hansen s disease is now known to be a treatable bacterial infection transmitted only by repeated direct contact with an infected individual, and is completely cured with sulfa drugs. 

Leprosy, also called Hansen s disease, affects 10-12 million people worldwide. Caused by an unusual bacterium called Mycobacterium leprae, leprosy primarily af-... 

Lau G. A fatal case of drug-induced multi-organ damage in a patient with Hansen s disease dapsone syndrome or rifampicin toxicity Forensic science international. 1995 May 22 73(2) 109-15. 

Celber. R.H. (1995) Leprosy (Hansen s disease), in Mandell. Dougleis and Bennetts Principles and Practice on Infectious Diseases, 4th edn. (eds G.L. Mandell et al.). Churchill Livingstone. Inc.. New York, pp. 2243-2250. 

Hansen s Disease (leprosy) and without peripheral neuritis. What has been the response, in terms of risk management programs, to allow patients to have access to this teratogenic drug ... 

Erythema nodosum associated with Hansen s Disease is a rare disorder in the United States, and the manufacturer of thalidomide enjoys the exclusivity... 

The initial clinical studies served as the first indication that Hansen s disease could be treated by means of a specific antibacterial agent. Up to then, leprosy had for centuries been regarded as incurable. 

Gull disease Hamman-Rich syndrome Hammond disease Hansen s disease... 

The worldwide incidence of leprosy (Hansen s disease) has plummeted by nearly 90% to -534,000. The cornerstone of this global elimination strategy is the provision of effective multidrug chemotherapy, namely dapsone, rifampin, and clofazimine (Table 47-1), to all leprosy patients in the world. The success of the strategy is evident by the end of 2003, over half of the countries considered endemic for leprosy in 1985 had achieved disease elimination (i.e., a prevalence rate of <1 case per 10,000 inhabitants). 

Clofazimine is active against Mycobacterium leprae and is used clinically to treat leprosy (Hansen s disease). It was s)mthesised in 1957 by Barry et al.. Laboratories of the Medical Research Council of Ireland, Trinity College Dublin. The precise mechanism of the antileprotic action of clofazimine has not been established. The World Health Organisation classify clofazimine as an "essential drug" and recommend its use, in combination, with other agents to treat all cases of leprosy (WHO, 1982). 

Hansen s disease The preferred name for leprosy, caused by Mycobacterium leprae, it exhibits various clinical forms ranging from tuberculoid to lepromatous. 

Leproma An enlarged, disfiguring skin lesion that occurs in the lepromatous form of Hansen s disease. 

Lepromin skin test Test used to detect Hansen s disease (leprosy), similar to the tuberculin test. 

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