Leprosy Patients' Household Contacts Often Have Evidence of Carriage

Mycobacterium leprae DNA was found in the nasal passages of about half of 104 household contacts of leprosy patients; 7 contacts went on to develop active disease.

People with untreated leprosy have been considered the main source of subsequent infections. However, the route of transmission has been unclear. To ascertain whether airborne transmission is possible, investigators in Brazil collected samples from the nasal vestibules, nasal turbinate biopsies, and peripheral blood of 113 leprosy patients and 104 household contacts from 2003 to 2015. A real-time quantitative polymerase-chain-reaction (qPCR) assay was used to detect Mycobacterium leprae DNA. In addition, peripheral blood antibodies against M. leprae–native phenolic glycolipid I (PGL-I) were measured, and the lepromin skin test was used to assess delayed-type hypersensitivity.

Among people with leprosy, M. leprae DNA was detected in 75 (66%) …

Reviewing Author

Neil M. Ampel, MD

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Editorial BoardsUpToDate

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesCoccidioidomycosis Study Group (Past President, Secretary, Treasurer)

Neil M. Ampel, MD

Disclosures

Editorial BoardsUpToDate

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesCoccidioidomycosis Study Group (Past President, Secretary, Treasurer)

Leprosy Patients' Household Contacts Often Have Evidence of Carriage

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Reviewing Author