Abstract

A REVIEW ON: LEPROSY IN THE 21ST CENTURY: TREATMENT, FUTURE DIRECTIONS AND SYSTEMATIC

Priyanka Deepak Jiwane*, Rutuja D. Sonone, Prof. Vishnudas K. Lokhande, Dr. R. S. Bijwar and Dr. L. N. Barde

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Abstract

Leprosy, or Hansen’s disease, is a chronic granulomatous infection primarily caused by Mycobacterium leprae and Mycobacterium lepromatosis, which is mainly transmitted through person-to-person contact and has a long incubation period of 2–6 years. It primarily affects the skin and peripheral nerves and is still endemic in various regions of the world. Leprosy is associated with disability and marginalization. Diagnosis is clinical and is made when the patient has at least 1 of the following cardinal signs specified by the World Health Organization: hypopigmented or erythematous macules with sensory loss; thickened peripheral nerves; or positive acid-fast skin smear or skin biopsy with loss of adnexa at affected sites. Leprosy is treated with a multidrug combination of rifampicin, clofazimine, and dapsone. Two main regimens are used depending on whether the patient has paucibacillary or multibacillary disease. Hansen’s disease treatment and outlook for patients since the introduction of multidrug therapy (MDT) 3 decades ago, the global incidence remains high, and patients often have long-term complications associated with the disease. In this article, they recent findings related to genetics, susceptibility, and disease reservoirs and the implications of these findings for Hansen’s disease control and health outcomes for patients. They are continued difficulties associated with treatment of inflammatory episodes known as ―leprosy reactions,‖ which cause much of the disability associated with the disease and can affect people for many years after MDT is complete. "As the world strives for zero leprosy transmissions, this review bridges the gap between historical insights and cuttingedge research. Discussing innovations in diagnostics, therapeutics, and prevention, it emphasizes the imperative of integrated approaches, community engagement, and intensified research to vanquish this ancient affliction and secure a leprosy-free future." The purpose of this review is to provide an up-to-date analysis of leprosy, focusing on recent discoveries in genetics, susceptibility factors, and carriers of the disease. These results have implications for patient outcomes and management of leprosy. This review aims to fill this gap by providing updated diagnostic and treatment recommendations for adults and children with leprosy.

Keywords: Hansen’s disease, Mycobacterium lepromatosis, pathophysiology, risk factors, epidemiology, global health, treatment, future directions.