Immunity with leprosy
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
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The majority of healthy people develop relative natural immunity to mycobacteria leprosy, which is characterized by a rather high intensity. The state of the immunological reactivity of the macroorganism in relation to the causative agent of leprosy is determined mainly by the reactions of cellular immunity. To this end, the most commonly used intradermal lepromine sample. Positive results of this test indicate a pronounced ability of the body to develop a response to the introduction of mycobacteria leprosy, ie, a high degree of natural immunity. A negative answer indicates the inhibition of cellular immunity reactions, in other words, the lack of natural immunity.
Consequently, the degree of (tension) of natural immunity is one of the decisive factors of man's immunity to leprosy and the formation of the type of leprosy infection in case of infection. Persons with a positive reaction of Mitsuda are much less likely to be exposed to leprosy. In case of infection, the disease occurs more favorably (usually in the form of tuberculoid leprosy) and can end in self-healing. Individuals with a negative reaction Mitsuda constitute a group at increased risk. In case of infection, the disease is more malignant (usually in the form of lepromatous leprosy) and may have an unfavorable outcome.
The natural immunity to leprosy is relative, since its degree (stress) can vary under the influence of various factors. Due to the repeated infection (superinfection) of leprosy, concomitant diseases, hypothermia and other causes, the strain of natural immunity can weaken until it is completely oppressed. Measures to increase the body's defenses, and the use of the BCG vaccine, contribute to an increase in natural immunity to leprosy.
In the opinion of most authors, the humoral immunity factors in leprosy do not exert a protective effect.
[Pathogenesis of leprosy
Mycobacterium leprosy penetrate the human body mainly through the mucous membranes, less often through the damaged skin, without causing visible changes in the place of introduction. Then there is a slow spread of the pathogen in the tissues and organs along the nerves, lymphatic and blood vessels.