Immunological aspects of Hansen's Disease

Abstract

Considering the complexity of the clinical manifestations of Hansen's Disease and its correlation with the immunological alterations found within the clinical aspect of the disease. Leprae defense is the response to cell-mediated immunity, especially macrophages and T lymphocytes, which by means of the effective interaction of their activities, may or may not destroy the bacilli. All the evolution and pathophysiology of the disease may be related to the immunological alterations of the parasite -host reaction that occurs in leprosy. After the presentation of the characteristic immunological problems and their correlation with the clinical forms they become fundamental for the understanding of the disease.