Leprosy, also known as Hansen’s disease, is a curable granulomatous condition caused by Mycobacterium leprae or Mycobacterium lepromatosis, disproportionately affecting impoverished communities across the globe. The bacteria’s tropism for dermal histiocytes, endothelial cells, and Schwann cells causes neuronal and dermal damage that often results in disability, permanent disfigurement, stigma, and social exclusion. Despite important achievements in the understanding of the disease, its elimination has been hampered by the scarcity of sensitive diagnostic tools, suboptimal integration and implementation of coordinated and financially stable preventive interventions, persistent stigmatisation, and failure to efficiently and sustainably address the socioeconomic and demographic factors associated with an increased risk of leprosy. In this Seminar, we provide an update on key public health and clinical aspects of the disease.
BT - The Lancet DA - 01/2026 DO - 10.1016/s0140-6736(25)01963-4 IS - 10530 LA - ENG M3 - Article N2 -Leprosy, also known as Hansen’s disease, is a curable granulomatous condition caused by Mycobacterium leprae or Mycobacterium lepromatosis, disproportionately affecting impoverished communities across the globe. The bacteria’s tropism for dermal histiocytes, endothelial cells, and Schwann cells causes neuronal and dermal damage that often results in disability, permanent disfigurement, stigma, and social exclusion. Despite important achievements in the understanding of the disease, its elimination has been hampered by the scarcity of sensitive diagnostic tools, suboptimal integration and implementation of coordinated and financially stable preventive interventions, persistent stigmatisation, and failure to efficiently and sustainably address the socioeconomic and demographic factors associated with an increased risk of leprosy. In this Seminar, we provide an update on key public health and clinical aspects of the disease.
PB - Elsevier BV PY - 2026 SP - 805 EP - 819 T2 - The Lancet TI - Leprosy UR - https://www.tanvihonap.com/uploads/7/5/5/1/75514407/leprosy.pdf VL - 407 SN - 0140-6736 ER -