title: Leprosy: a review of laboratory and therapeutic aspects--part 2.
abstract: Leprosy is a chronic infectious condition caused by Mycobacterium leprae(M. leprae). It is endemic in many regions of the world and a public health problem in Brazil. Additionally, it presents a wide spectrum of clinical manifestations, which are dependent on the interaction between M. leprae and host, and are related to the degree of immunity to the bacillus. The diagnosis of this disease is a clinical one. However, in some situations laboratory exams are necessary to confirm the diagnosis of leprosy or classify its clinical form. This article aims to update dermatologists on leprosy, through a review of complementary laboratory techniques that can be employed for the diagnosis of leprosy, including Mitsuda intradermal reaction, skin smear microscopy, histopathology, serology, immunohistochemistry, polymerase chain reaction, imaging tests, electromyography, and blood tests. It also aims to explain standard multidrug therapy regimens, the treatment of reactions and resistant cases, immunotherapy with bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine and chemoprophylaxis.
authors.affiliation: Faculdade de Medicina de Botucatu, Universidade Estadual Paulista Júlio de Mesquita Filho, Botucatu, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Joel Carlos
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Lastória
authors.affiliation: Hospital Regional de Presidente Prudente, Universidade do Oeste Paulista, Presidente Prudente, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Marilda Aparecida Milanez Morgado de
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Abreu
mesh_terms: D001500:BCG Vaccine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D001938:Brazil; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D007917:Leprostatic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D056006:Leprosy, Multibacillary / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy*; D056005:Leprosy, Paucibacillary / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy*; D009166:Mycobacterium leprae / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D012867:Skin / Q000382:microbiology
chemical_list: D001500:BCG Vaccine; D007917:Leprostatic Agents