Leprosy

Leprosy, or Hansen's disease, chronic infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae and chiefly found in tropical zones. It leads to skin nodules with loss of pigmentation, mucous membrane lesions in nose and pharynx, and neuritis with nerve thickening, loss of pain sensation, and patchy weakness, often involving face and hand muscles. The type of disease caused depends on the number of bacteria encountered and basic resistance to the disease. Treatment is with sulfones.