Leprosy

Leprosy (Hansen’s Disease), is a chronic infectious disease that primarily affects the peripheral nerves, skin, upper respiratory tract, eyes, and nasal mucosa. The disease is caused by a bacillus (rod-shaped) bacterium known as Mycobacterium leprae (M. leprae).

What is Leprosy?

Leprosy is a chronic infection caused by the bacillus Mycobacterium leprae.

Leprosy Diagnosis and Classification

Leprosy Epidemiology

Leprosy Prevention and Vaccination

Leprosy Treatment

Forms of Leprosy

Genetics and Susceptibility to Leprosy

Signs and Symptoms of Leprosy

History of Leprosy

Leprosy Causes

Leprosy Complications

Notable Cases of Leprosy

See more featured articles »

Leprosy Research

Leprosy Stigma

Latest Leprosy News and Research

Study suggests mosquitoes as potential vectors for Buruli ulcers in Australia

Researchers find strong evidence suggesting mosquitoes may transmit Mycobacterium ulcerans, the bacteria causing Buruli ulcers, but caution that further study is needed.

15 Aug 2024

The case of the armadillo: Is it spreading leprosy in Florida?

In an open-air barn at the edge of the University of Florida, veterinarian Juan Campos Krauer examines a dead armadillo's footpads and ears for signs of infection.

24 May 2024

WHO's new SkinNTD app proves effective in training healthcare workers for neglected tropical diseases

The SkinNTD app, developed by the WHO, shows promise in training frontline healthcare workers in low- and middle-income countries to diagnose and manage neglected tropical diseases. Early evaluations in Ghana and Kenya indicate the app is user-friendly, effective, and valuable for remote areas.

20 May 2024

Experts advocate three-pronged approach to identifying missing tuberculosis cases

In the journey towards a world free of Tuberculosis (TB), the crucial first step begins with identifying individuals affected by the disease.

25 Mar 2024

AHRI partners with BGI Genomics to boost its genomics and precision medicine capabilities

On October 13, 2023, in Addis Ababa, Armauer Hansen Research Institute (AHRI) and BGI Genomics signed a Memorandum of Understanding to enhance the Institute's genomics and precision medicine capabilities.

21 Nov 2023

Uniting Against Antimicrobial Resistance: An Interview with the World Health Organization

An interview with Kitty van Weezenbeek, Director of Surveillance, Prevention and Control of AMR for the World Health Organistion (WHO) AMR division.

20 Nov 2023

Doctors advocate fresh efforts to combat Chagas disease, a silent killer

When Maira Gutiérrez was diagnosed with Chagas disease in 1997, neither she nor her primary care physician had even heard of the malady. She discovered her illness only by chance, after participating in a Red Cross blood drive organized by her employer, Universal Studios.

22 Aug 2023

Researchers find new way to target leprosy infection

Leprosy has existed since at least Biblical times, yet scientists still don't know exactly how Mycobacterium leprae causes the disease's symptoms.

12 Jul 2023

Study identifies the predictors of post-coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) syndrome symptoms

Study identifies the predictors of post-coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) syndrome symptoms.

30 Jun 2023

Aggressive lung pathogen may not be prone to person-to-person transmission

A little-known bacterium -; a distant cousin of the microbes that cause tuberculosis and leprosy -; is emerging as a public health threat capable of causing severe lung infections among vulnerable populations, those with compromised immunity or reduced lung function.

30 May 2023

World Health Day: Giving Universal Health Coverage a Platform

News Medical commemorates World Health Day by reflecting on the past, present, and potential of public health, with a particular focus on Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and its importance to public health.

6 Apr 2023

Parasites associated with leprosy may have the ability to regenerate livers

Leprosy is one of the world's oldest and most persistent diseases but the bacteria that cause it may also have the surprising ability to grow and regenerate a vital organ.

15 Nov 2022

New insights into the dynamic inner world of the human immune system

As researchers glean new insights into the dynamic inner world of the human immune system, it has become increasingly clear that mitochondria are critical regulators of how our bodies respond to disease.

3 Nov 2022

Harmless group of bacteria linked with increased risk of death in patients with end-stage renal disease

A big group of bacteria found in our soil, our water and our showerheads are harmless for most of us, but a new study indicates they are associated with an increased risk of dying in individuals whose kidneys have failed.

25 Oct 2022

Tattoos can induce bloodstream infections

A recent review describes the characteristics of systemic bacterial infections associated with tattoos.

28 Aug 2022

The BCG vaccine against COVID-19 and other infectious diseases in type 1 diabetic adults

A recent article demonstrated that BCG vaccinations might offer a platform for protection against emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants and other pathogenic infections in type 1 diabetics.

17 Aug 2022

Early success of shorter tuberculosis treatment in Nigeria could pave the way for nationwide rollout

Early success with Nigeria's implementation of the new and shorter six-month tuberculosis treatment regimen in four states could pave the way for its rollout nationwide, says an expert.

10 Jun 2022

Researchers use bacteriophages to treat antibiotic-resistant mycobacterial lung infection

For the first time, researchers have successfully used bacteriophages – viruses that kill bacteria – to treat an antibiotic-resistant mycobacterial lung infection, clearing the way for a young National Jewish Health patient with cystic fibrosis to receive a life-saving lung transplant.

13 May 2022

WHO urges everyone to confront inequalities that characterize neglected tropical diseases

To mark World Neglected Tropical Diseases Day (WNTDD), the World Health Organization is calling on everyone, to rally to confront inequalities that characterize NTDs and ensure that the poorest and marginalized communities who are mostly affected by neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) receive the health services they need.

1 Feb 2022

WHO commemorates World Neglected Tropical Diseases Day with focus on promoting health equity

The World Health Organization kicked off this year's commemoration of World Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTD) Day under the theme 'Achieving health equity to end the neglect of poverty-related diseases' with a call to focus more on strengthening interventions in order to promote equitable health services for all.

28 Jan 2022