University:
Eastern Kentucky University
Course:
BIO 273 | Clinical Microbiology
Academic year:

2022
Views:

424

Pages:

2
Author:

Shyanne Johnson

Mycobacterium Leprae Features: 1. Acid fast bacteria 2. Thrives in cold temperatures a. This explains its preference for extremities Reservoir: Armadillos (in USA) Transmission: Not established, but probably respiratory transmission Diseases: It has two different clinical presentations: 1. Tuberculoid leprosy 2. Lepromatous leprosy Tu Tubercu bercu berculoid loid Lepr Leprosy: osy: 1. TH1 is the pre-dominant response a. Contains bacteria within macrophages 2. It is well-controlled and isn’t severe 3. Symptoms include well-demarcated hairless lesions on skin Lab Diagnosis: 1. Lepromin skin test a. Positive if there is a cell mediated response i. This means body’s CMI is intact and able to fight the bacteria 2. Biopsy a. Small number of bacteria seen under microscope Treatment: Following drugs are taken for 6 months: 1. Dapsone 2. Rifampin Lep Leproma roma romatous tous Lep Leprosy: rosy: 1. Also called Hansen’s Disease 2. TH2 is the pre-dominant response a. Humoral response is produced 3. TH1 response is very weak a. Hence, disease is not contained by macrophages 4. Human-to-human transmission is suggested 5. It is characterized by: a. Glove and stocking neuropathy b. Raised lesions i. Poorly demarcated ii. Numerous in number iii. Present on extensor surfaces of extremities c. Profound Facial Deformities (Leonine Facies) i. Thickening of skin ii. Loss of eyebrows & eyelashes iii. Loss of claps of nose iv. Formation of nodular earlobes Lab Diagnosis: 1. Biopsy a. Large amounts of bacteria are seen under the microscope Treatment: Following drugs are taken for 2-5 years; 1. Clofazimine 2. Dapsone 3. Rifampin