leprosy is a specific bacteria that atacks the connective tissue and mutates and destroys it. Itcan be prevented by drugs, and healed with antibiotics. However, damaged tissue cannot be regrown.
2006-12-02 08:33:29
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answer #1
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answered by judy_r8 6
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Leprosy is caused by the organism Mycobacterium leprae. It is not very contagious (difficult to transmit) and has a long incubation period (time before symptoms appear), which makes it difficult to determine where or when the disease was contracted. Children are more susceptible than adults to contracting the disease.
Leprosy has two common forms, tuberculoid and lepromatous, and these have been further subdivided. Both forms produce sores on the skin, but the lepromatous form is most severe, producing large, disfiguring nodules (lumps and bumps).
All forms of the disease eventually cause peripheral neurological damage (nerve damage in the arms and legs) which causes sensory loss in the skin and muscle weakness. People with long-term leprosy may lose the use of their hands or feet due to repeated injury resulting from lack of sensation.
Medications used to eliminate the microorganism and to reduce symptoms include:
* Dapsone
* Rifampin
* Clofazimine
* Ethionamide
* Aspirin, prednisone, or thalidomide are used for the control of inflammation (e.g., "erythema nodosum leprosum") that may occur with therapy
2006-12-02 08:36:30
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answer #2
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answered by Pangolin 7
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Leprosy
"A chronic infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae that primarily affects the skin and peripheral nerves and, to a lesser extent, the eyes and mucous membranes."
"Mycobacterium leprae, also known as Hansen’s bacillus, is the bacterium that causes leprosy (Hansen's disease). It is an intracellular, pleomorphic, acid fast bacterium. M. Leprae is a gram-positive aerobic rod-shaped (bacillus) surrounded by the characteristic waxy coating unique to mycobacteria. In size and shape, it closely resembles Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Due to its thick waxy coating, M. leprae stains with a carbon finishing rather than with the traditional Gram stain. The culture takes several weeks to mature."
2006-12-02 08:39:37
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answer #3
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answered by r_e_a_l_miles 4
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Certain bacteria cause certain diseases. Leprosy is caused by a particular bacterium called Mycobacterium leprae. It's related to the bacterium that causes tuberculosis.
2006-12-02 08:39:55
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answer #4
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answered by mockingbird 7
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Leprosy is not actually caused by a bacteria. The "leprosy bacteria" carries a "mini virus" that actually does the damage.
See the link...
2006-12-02 08:38:41
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answer #5
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answered by ckm1956 7
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