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Leprosy Reactions

Abstract

Sudden changes in immune-mediated response to Mycobacterium leprae antigen are referred to as leprosy reactions. The reactions manifest as acute inflammatory episodes rather than chronic infectious course. There are mainly two types of leprosy reactions. Type 1 reaction is associated with cellular immunity and particularly with the reaction ofThelper1(Th1)cellstomycobacterialantigens.Thisreactioninvolvesexacerbationof old lesions leading to the erythematous appearance. Type 2 reaction or erythema nodosum leprosum (ENL) is associated with humoral immunity. It is characterized by systemic symptoms along with new erythematous subcutaneous nodules.

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Type
Book Chapter