Contents

#### **Preface XI**


### Chapter 8 **Genetic Variation in Pattern-Recognition Receptors and Association with Leprosy 143**

Karina Talita de Oliveira Santana Jorge and Frederico Marianetti Soriani

Preface

The purpose of this book is to expand the knowledge and investigations of a disease feared by humanity since biblical times. Leprosy was once related to sin and thought to be caused by heredity or curses. Unfortunately, these stigmatizations still persist. This book about lep‐ rosy encompasses its nature, etiology, epidemiology, clinical studies, diagnosis, molecular

This book's goal is to contribute to science: the immunological, molecular and genetic ad‐ vances that have been made in the management of leprosy. It contains important informa‐ tion in a clear, concise, and precise way about the history, epidemiology, pathology, diagnostic methods and genetic implications described for the disease, with the intention of emphasizing that leprosy remains a complex disease and of interest to public health. For this reason, the study of leprosy continues to represent a great challenge to humanity, because despite maintaining its control, it has not yet been possible to interrupt its chain of transmis‐

Here you will find important information about leprosy, dealing with major issues such as the characteristics of the etiological agent, the host's immune response and its updating in epidemiology, diagnosis and treatment. In addition the book studies the difficulty of early detection of the disease that has led to the search for existing techniques for its use in diag‐ nosis, as well as the need to give importance to molecular methodologies, since the genetic study of *Mycobacterium leprae* has allowed the detection of genes or specific sequences for

The studies in this book will also give insight into the investigations of the participation of genetic factors that are involved in the susceptibility and immunopathogenesis of the dis‐ ease, since the microorganism expresses a series of components involved in the pathogen– host interaction and its association of different genetic variants in the recognition of the clin‐

With the rapidity of advances in knowledge about leprosy, this book incorporates contribu‐ tions from professionals and experts in the study of *M. leprae* to ensure a broad review and update of each of the chapters presented here, showing perspectives that open new possibil‐ ities to address the study of leprosy and its impact on clinical, immunological, molecular and epidemiological research in the coming years. We hope that this book will be of great

**Wellman Ribón**

Senior Researcher, Colciencias Classification

Titular Professor, Universidad Industrial de Santander, Columbia

interest and expand information on and contribute to relevant aspects of the disease.

techniques and treatment, which are still challenging research worldwide.

sion. Public health agencies need to join forces to achieve eradication.

drug identification and resistance.

ical manifestations of leprosy.
