Leprosy

Leprosy, also called as Hansen's disease, is a slow progressing infection caused by Mycobacterium leprae which initialy affects skin, peripheral nerves, eves and mucosal layer of upper respiratory tract. As the disease progresses the patient develops secondary amyloidosis (infiltration of amyloid, a starch like substances in liver, kidneys and spleen) and renal disease due to immunological disorders. In some cases, the patient may develop antibodies towards the antigen of M.Leprae which results in formation of complexes. These complexes cause glomerulonephritis, vasculitis and erythma nodosum (tender swelling on skin).The infection spreads from one person to another through broken nodules as well as through secretions from mouth, nose and pharynx.

Since ages, leprosy has been causing the disastrous effects on the patients, as the gradual progression of disease leads to permanent disability which is the main cause of concern. During 1990's, India reported approximately 5 lakh leprosy cases where the majority of the cases were from West Bengal, Orissa, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh. Though India had the highest burden of the disease, the number of cases has been declining since 2017 (i.e.. 1,35,486 in 2016 and 1,20,334 in 2017-2018) due to the efforts and commitments made by the government to prevent and eradicate the disease. Besides, India has also experienced the decline in new paediatric cases (i.e., 10,287 in 2017 and 9227 in 2018).