PRIMARY CARE AND LEPROZY: A CASE REPORT

Abstract

Leprosy is a chronic infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae. The predilection for the skin and peripheral nerves confers peculiar characteristics to this disease, making its diagnosis simple. Brazil remains the second country in number of cases in the world, after India. Approximately 94% of known cases in the Americas and 94% of newly diagnosed cases are reported from Brazil. The disease manifests itself in two stable and opposite poles (Wirchowian and tuberculoid) and two unstable groups (indeterminate and borderline). In another classification, the disease is divided into tuberculoid, borderline or dimorphic forms, which are subdivided into borderline-tuberculoid, borderline- borderline and borderline-Wirchowian, and Wirchowian. Bacilloscopy is the most useful complementary exam in the diagnosis. Leprosy treatment comprises: specific chemotherapy, suppression of reactional outbreaks, prevention of physical disabilities, physical and psychosocial rehabilitation.