Natural History of Leprosy

Factors conrtibuting to the occurrence and

disrtibution of leprosy:
AGENT FACTORS:
M. leprae
M. lepromatosis
ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS:
Unhygienic living conditions
Overpopulation

Clinical Horizon

HOST FACTORS:
Malnutrition
Hygiene

Bacilli
discharged
from nose

Taken up by
alveolar
macrophages

Inhaled by
susceptible
person

Spreads to
Disseminated nerve and
skin
through
blood

Bacilli
proliferate
especially in
Schwan cells

Response may depend on individual

family or ethnic heritage

Interactions produce the inciting

factors, the STIMULI
Interaction of
Stimulus and Host

Reaction of HOST

PREPATHOGENESIS PERIOD

PERIOD OF PATHOGENESIS
HEALTH PROMOTION

Educate people about

leprosy
Environment Quality

Specific Protection
Monitor closely for the
development of leprosy
signs and symptoms.

Promote living a healthy

lifestyle

Early Diagnosis and

Prompt Treatment
Multi drug therapy
(dapsone, rifampicin
(Rifadin), and clofazimine
(Lamprene)

Rehabilitation
Disability Limitation
Activity limitation due to
infection of skin

Physical Rehabilitation
Socio-economic
Rehabilitation

Environmental Quality
PRIMARY PREVENTION

Secondary Prevention

TERTIARY PREVENTION

LEVELS OF APPLICATION OF PREVENTIVE MEASURES AGAINST TUBERCULOSIS