: a chronic infectious disease caused by a mycobacterium (Mycobacterium leprae) affecting especially the skin and peripheral nerves and characterized by the formation of nodules or macules that enlarge and spread accompanied by loss of sensation with eventual paralysis, wasting of muscle, and production of deformities
Recent Examples on the WebIn some forms of leprosy, foamy macrophages can harbor hundreds of bacteria in each cell — an extreme version of what occurs in acne patients. Isabella Cueto, STAT, 23 July 2022 People often associated facial irregularities with the devastating effects of disease, such as leprosy or syphilis, or with corporal punishment, wickedness and sin. Lindsey Fitzharris, Smithsonian Magazine, 1 July 2022 Her mother was a high school teacher who participated in projects to eradicate malnutrition, and her father started a foundation to rehabilitate leprosy patients. Divya Kakaiya, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 May 2022 These days, leprosy is curable but continues to affect tens of thousands each year. Kathleen M. Wong, Smithsonian Magazine, 23 Mar. 2022 Ranadive also studied the bacterium that causes leprosy and helped develop a vaccine. Brett Molina, USA TODAY, 8 Nov. 2021 New leprosy patients keep walking through Dr. Reddy’s doors.New York Times, 25 Jan. 2022 Her warm touch, with everyone from leprosy patients to those diagnosed with AIDS at the start of the epidemic, was clear to eyewitnesses like Hussein. Simon Perry, PEOPLE.com, 19 Jan. 2022 There were other horrors, including the constant threat of leprosy.Longreads, 19 Jan. 2022 See More