Summary

• Chronic infectious disease characterised by skin lesion(s) and involvement of peripheral nerves.
• Skin lesions can be single or multiple and usually less pigmented than the surrounding normal skin; macules, papules, or nodules are common.
• Skin smear may be positive for acid-fast bacilli (AFB).
• Nerve damage to peripheral nerve trunks may occur, with loss of sensation in the skin and weakness of muscles supplied by the affected nerve.
• Diagnosis is most commonly based on clinical signs and symptoms, and in practice, people usually report on their own to the health centre.
• The standard WHO-recommended treatment for leprosy is with multi-drug therapy (MDT).