Stigma and increase of leprosy cases in SouthEast Sulawesi Province, Indonesia

Abstract

Leprosy remains an important health issue. The disease is characterised by a chronic granulomatous infection of the skin and peripheral nerves caused by Mycobacterium leprae. The disease is classified into two, namely paucibacillary (PB) or multibacillary (MB) leprosy. PB leprosy is a milder form of disease, characterized by several (ie, up to five) hypopigmented, pale and reddish lesions, and hypo-or anesthetic lesions. MB leprosy is associated with