Master Mycobacterium leprae (OLD VERSION) with Picmonic for Medicine

The mycolic acid in the cell wall makes mycobacterium acid fast, which means they will retain stains despite wash with acid.

This bacteria proliferates best in cool temperatures ranging from 32 to 34 degrees C. Therefore, the bacteria affects mostly cooler tissues including the skin and extremities.

This is the less severe form of leprosy seen in patients with adequate TH1 response. Patients present with dry scaly lesions that lack sensation.

Because the TH1 response is adequate in tuberculoid leprosy with release of Il-2 and IFN, there is a granulomatous inflammation in response to the bacilli.

In tuberculoid leprosy, patients will respond with a positive lepromin skin test in response to a dermal injection of bacterial extract called lepromin, parallel to tuberculosis.

A drug used in the treatment of leprosy. It can also be used as second-line treatment for prophylaxis against pneumocystis pneumonia. Long term oral dapsone use can be associated with hemolysis and methemoglobinemia.

Drug used in treatment of leprosy and tuberculosis.

Lepromatous leprosy is the more severe form of leprosy that occurs in the immunocompromised.

Patients with lepromatous leprosy have weakened immune response with poor TH1 response.

Characteristic facial appearance with persons with lepromatous leprosy where the face resembles that of a lion with loss of eyebrows, nasal collapse and lumpy earlobes.

Patients with lepromatous leprosy will have negative lepromin skin test due to inadequate immune response.

Clofazimine can be added to dapsone and rifampin for treatment for lepromatous leprosy.