Review article

LEPROSY – TODAY FORGOTTEN IN CROATIA?

ANA BAKIJA-KONSUO ; Cutis Polyclinic for Dermatology and Venereology, Dubrovnik, Dubrovnik, Croatia
ROSANDA MULIĆ ; Department of Public Health,School of Medicine, University of Split, Split, Croatia

Abstract

Leprosy is an infectious skin disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae, which predominantly affects the skin, peripheral nerves and mucous membrane of the upper respiratory tract and oral cavity. In spite of today’s efficient treatment, leprosy represents a public health problem in some countries of the world. It is estimated that 12 to 15 million patients are currently affected in the world. Leprosy ravaged across Europe, including Croatia, for centuries, so this paper provides a few historical facts on leprosy in Croatia. In 1956, the last case of leprosy was recorded in Blizna, a small village near Trogir, which was considered an endemic region in the Republic of Croatia. Although there is no indigenous leprosy nowadays in Croatia, there is a possibility of the disease re-emergence from tourists or crew members from large vessels, or from the infected persons returning to Croatia from abroad. Therefore, Croatian physicians, especially dermatovenereologists, must be familiar with the basics of the disease; therefore, this article points out the clinical picture, classification and basic principles of pathogenesis and treatment of the disease.

Keywords

Croatia; non-endemic regions; multi-drug therapy

Hrčak ID:

89272

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/89272

Publication date:

17.10.2012.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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