LEPROSY (HANSEN’S DISEASE)
MYCOBACTERIUM LAPRAE—HANSEN’S BACILLUS
ARMIDILLO (ARDYADACTACOUS DIASY PODIAE) IS THE ONLY OTHER KNOWN CARRIER—-Cx OFF THE FOOT PAD
PORTAL OF ENTRY IS THE NOSE—-ORGANISMS CAN REMAIN VIABLE IN DESSICATED SECRETIONS FOR DAYS
CHRONIC GRANULOMATOUS (CASEATING) INFXN WHICH AFFECTS THE SKIN, MUCOSA AND SUPERFICIAL NERVES—PAIN AND MUSCLE ATROPHY
AFFINITY FOR THE ANT NASAL SPINE AND SEPTUM—SEPTAL PERF—-SADDLE NOSE WITH LOCAL EROSION OF THE ANT NASAL SPINE IN LAT X-RAY
ALSO AFFECTS THE ANT INF TURB–ERYTHEMATOUS NODULES, MACULES OR PAPULES—-EPISTAXIS
CAN HAVE EROSION OF FACIAL TISSUE—”FISH MOUTH DEFORMITY—LEONINE FACIES”
CAN AFFECT THE SUPRAGLOTTIC LARYNX
Dx: Bx—GRANULOMAS—ZEIHL-NEELSON STAIN + Cx
Rx: BCG PSEUDO VACCINATION HAS SOME EFFICACY
DAPSONE IS THE DRUG OF CHOICE