microbio unit 15D: microbial diseases of the nervous + cardiovascular systems

I: microbial diseases of the nervous system (LEPROSY)

leprosy is also known as

hansen’s disease

mycobacterium leprae causes what disease?

leprosy/hansen’s disease

what microbe causes leprosy?

mycobacterium leprae

where is mycobacterium leprae found?

grows in the peripheral nervous system + skin cells

nasal secretions + lesion fluid

armidillos

mycobacterium leprae can only be seen under what stain?

acid-fast rod

what is the generation time of mycobacterium leprae?

12 days

what is needed in order for mycobacterium leprae to transfer from person to person

intimate, prolonged contact

what is the incubation time of mycobacterium leprae?

5-15 years → but SHORTER in children

what is the path of infection of leprosy?

contact with nasal secretions or contaminated fomites

what are the symptoms of leprosy/hansen’s disease?

skin infections

decreased sensation

repeated damage (loss of fingers/toes)

muscle weakness causing fingers to curl inward like a claw

necrosis of tissue

skin infections, ______ _______, repeated damage (loss of fingers/toes), muscle weakness causing fingers to curl inward like a ______, ______ of tissue

skin infections

decreased sensation

repeated damage (loss of fingers/toes)

muscle weakness causing fingers to curl inward like a claw

necrosis of tissue

what are the 2 forms of leprosy?

lepromatous

tuberculoid

lepromatous

skin cells infected with mycobacterium leprae

→ leads to large, disfiguring nodules

→ this is severe leprosy

tuberculoid (neural)

regions of skin lose sensation → surrounded by small nodules → depigmentation

what is the treatment for leprosy?

rifampin

sulfone (person is non-infection)

rifampin and ______ are used to treat leprosy

rifampin and sulfone

how long is a patient with leprosy treated for?

6-24 months

isolation for leprosy is…

no longer required