Ooi W W, Moschella S L
Department of Internal Medicine, Lahey Clinic Medical Center, Burlington, MA 01805, USA.
Clin Infect Dis. 2001 Mar 15;32(6):930-7. doi: 10.1086/319357. Epub 2001 Mar 9.
The World Health Organization established a goal in 1991 of "elimination of leprosy as a public health problem by the year 2000." Although prevalence rates of leprosy have decreased in many geographic areas, it is clear that in some countries where leprosy is endemic, such as Brazil and India, this goal will not be reached. Leprosy is rare in the United States, but 85% of detected cases are in immigrants in whom the disease may mimic many common dermatologic and neurological entities, leading to delay of diagnosis. The statuses of polymerase chain reaction analysis, serological testing, and vaccines are reviewed. Effective multidrug therapy and prevention of permanent damage to nerves by early recognition and treatment will help prevent residual disabilities. This update reviews what is known about the pathophysiology and treatment of leprosy. Increased awareness will lead to earlier recognition, diagnosis, and treatment.
世界卫生组织在1991年设定了一个目标，即“到2000年消除作为公共卫生问题的麻风病”。尽管麻风病的患病率在许多地理区域有所下降，但很明显，在一些麻风病流行的国家，如巴西和印度，这个目标无法实现。麻风病在美国很罕见，但85%的确诊病例是移民，这种疾病可能会模仿许多常见的皮肤病和神经疾病，导致诊断延迟。本文综述了聚合酶链反应分析、血清学检测和疫苗的现状。有效的联合化疗以及通过早期识别和治疗预防神经永久性损伤将有助于预防残留残疾。本综述回顾了关于麻风病病理生理学和治疗的已知情况。提高认识将有助于更早地识别、诊断和治疗。
