Causes: Leprosy:
A bacillus, Mycobacterium leprae,
that multiplies very slowly and mainly affects the skin, nerves,
and mucous membranes. The organism has never been grown in
bacteriologic media or cell culture, but has been grown in
mouse foot pads. (Source: excerpt from Hansen's Disease (Leprosy): DBMD)
As with all medical conditions, there may be many causal factors. Further relevant information on causes of Leprosy may be found in:
16 MEDICAL BOOKS ONLINE! Review excerpts from medical books online, free, without registration, for more information about the causes of Leprosy.
Contrary to popular belief, leprosy isn’t highly contagious; it actually has a low rate of infectivity. Continuous, close contact is needed to transmit it. In fact, 9 out of 10 persons have a natural immunity to it. Susceptibility appears highest during childhood and seems to decrease with age. Presumably, transmission occurs through nasal droplets containing M. leprae or by inoculation through skin breaks (with a contaminated hypodermic or tattoo needle, for example). The incubation period is unusually long — 2 to 40 years with an average of 5 to 7 years.
Leprosy is most prevalent in the underdeveloped areas of Asia (especially India and China), Africa, South America, and the islands of the Caribbean and Pacific. About 6 million people worldwide suffer from this disease; approximately 7,000 are in the United States, mostly in California, Texas, Louisiana, Florida, New York, and Hawaii.
Source: Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition), 2005
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