01241nas a2200253   4500000000100000008004100001260001300042653001600055653002500071653003300096653003100129653003000160653001100190653002300201653001200224653001500236100001200251245004900263300000600312490000600318050001500324520063400339022001400973       2003                            d  c2003 Mar10aComorbidity10aDeveloping countries10aDrug Administration Schedule10aDrug Resistance, Bacterial10aDrug Therapy, Combination10aHumans10aLeprostatic Agents10aleprosy10aPrevalence1 aIshii N00aRecent advances in the treatment of leprosy.  a50 v9  aISHII 20033 a<p>Leprosy, a chronic infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae, was identified by G. H. A. Hansen in 1873. The different clinical presentations of the disease are determined by the quality of the host immune response. The bacteria have affinity for the peripheral nerves and are likely the cause of neuropathy, a cardinal manifestation of the disease. WHO recommends a protocol of multidrug therapy (MDT), which effectively controls the disease, hence contributing to the global elimination program. Early detection of leprosy and treatment by MDT are the most important steps in preventing deformity and disability.</p>  a1087-2108