Medical Definition of Hansen disease
1.
Caused by Mycobacterium leprae, an obligate intracellular parasite that survives lysosomal enzyme attack by possessing a waxy coat.
Leprosy is a chronic disease associated with depressed cellular (but not humoral) immunity, the bacterium requires a lower temperature than 37C and thrives particularly in peripheral Schwann cells and macrophages.
Only humans and the nine banded armadillo are susceptible.
This entry appears with permission from the Dictionary of Cell and Molecular Biology
(11 Mar 2008)
Lexicographical Neighbors of Hansen Disease
Other Resources:
