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Leprosy

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Prognosis of Neurological Diseases

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Abstract

Leprosy is primarily a disorder of the peripheral nerves due to chronic granulomatous infection by Mycobacterium leprae.

Its various clinical forms are determined according to levels of cellular immune response to Mycobacterium.

Prognosis depends on the stage of the disease at diagnosis, as well as on the initiation and compliance with multidrug therapy. Relapses after treatment with are rare.

Complications result from nerve damage causing anesthesia and weakness. They occur if leprosy is not treated early and include painless injuries, mutilation, claw hand, foot drop, and reversal reactions. The resultant deformity and disability affecting 23.0 % of patients may lead to hideous disfigurement.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neurology, Nizam’s Institute of Medical Sciences, Hyderabad, India

    Meena Angamuthu Kanikannan

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  1. Meena Angamuthu Kanikannan
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Correspondence to Meena Angamuthu Kanikannan .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Fondazione “Giancarlo Quarta”, Milano, Milan, Italy

    Angelo Sghirlanzoni

  2. Istituto Neurologico C. Besta, Milan, Italy

    Giuseppe Lauria

  3. Istituto Neurologico C. Besta, Milan, Italy

    Luisa Chiapparini

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Kanikannan, M.A. (2015). Leprosy. In: Sghirlanzoni, A., Lauria, G., Chiapparini, L. (eds) Prognosis of Neurological Diseases. Springer, Milano. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-88-470-5755-5_9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-88-470-5755-5_9

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Milano

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  • Online ISBN: 978-88-470-5755-5

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