Current Research and Future Development in Leprosy and Tuberculosis control

Abstract

INTRODUCTION
During recent years we have witnessed a burst of activity in leprosy research. By definition, leprosy is an infectious disease, the causative organism being cobacterium leprae. The leprosy bacillus is virtually non-toxic and may occur in large amounts in tissues with only moderate clinical symptoms. In fact, leprosy may to a great extent be regarded as an immunological disease since most symptoms arc due to immune reactions against antigens liberated from the leprosy bacilli.

During recent years leprosy research has been centred, to a great extent, around studies of immunological phenomena since a better understanding of basic immunological mechanisms would provide a rational basis for improved treatment of patients with established disease, and for advancements in our understanding of the epidemiology of leprosy and its control.