Main description:

The main objective of the current edition is to provide clinicians, researchers and everyone associated with leprosy, insights into the latest research and developments on the subject all over the world, and access to an updated and organized database of information.

The text has undergone a significant revision to incorporate the advances in the many areas that further our understanding of the disease, particularly in relation to its immunology, genetics and host susceptibility, drug resistance, molecular diagnostics, reactions and biology of Mycobacterium leprae, unraveling the immunopathogenic basis of some of the major components of the disease presentation.

Contents:

* The text has undergone a significant revision to incorporate the advances in the many areas that further our understanding of the disease, particularly in relation to its immunology, genetics and host susceptibility, drug resistance, molecular diagnostics, reactions and biology of Mycobacterium leprae, unraveling the immunopathogenic basis of some of the major components of the disease presentation. Includes chapters related to basics of history taking and clinical examination, techniques of nerve examination, ocular leprosy, vaccines (immunoprophylaxis and immunotherapy), chemoprophylaxis, deformities and their management, recording and assessment of nerve involvement and experimental leprosy. Covers special situations, viz. leprosy in children, leprosy and pregnancy, leprosy associated with HIV and issues related to community-based rehabilitation, psychosocial aspects, stigma, and migration in leprosy. Presents clear and comprehensive information that help in diagnosing leprosy in low endemic situations. Discusses problems of drug resistance, challenges and scenario beyond

2020. Highlights the role of NGOs in the eradication program, and the case histories for achieving the control over leprosy. Contains the most up-to-date and comprehensive material from 84 acclaimed experts of national and international repute based on the wealth of their expertise. Gives an idea of how the disease looks in different shades of skin color through photo gallery. Improves the diagnostic accuracy with the help of nearly 450 figures that capture the presentation of leprosy in practice. Enhances clinical and therapeutic knowledge with the latest guidance on diagnosis and other rapidly changing research areas in leprosy.