Armadillos Cause Leprosy

Each year only about 150 heap in the U.S. are infected with leprosy, a bacterial unsoundness that can lead to nerve damage and disfigurement. In most(prenominal) cases, plenty are infected after being capable to spit from an infected person, usu onlyy while traveling to move of the world, such as Africa and Asia, where the disease is more common. Not all cases occur analogous this. A new study in the New England journal of Medicine may provide an translation for  rough cases, armadillos. at that place rich person been several anecdotal reports of leprosy in manhood who have handled, killed, or eaten armadillos, or who may have been indirectly exposed by gardening in smirch where the animals burrow. moreover until now, experts havent been able to confirm that armadillos could swirl the disease to humans. The study provides the strongest evidence to date. Researchers analyzed the genomes of leprosy-causing bacteria lay in from seven patients and one arma dillo. After identifying specific strains of the bacteria, they compared them with a large group of infected people and armadillos from around the world. Of the 50 patients and 33 wild armadillos the exploreers analyzed from the U.S., 25 patients and 28 armadillos shared a genetically identical strain of leprosy bacteria.

And at least 8 of the 25 patients carrying the strain reported contact with armadillos. Its arguable to demonstrate specific causality, says Richard Truman, PhD, one of the study authors and the chief of microbiological look for at the National Hansens Disease Program, in  doorsill Rouge, La. (Leprosy is also known as Hansens diseas! e.) However, he adds, the circumstances that the humans with the armadillo-specific strain were infected by roughly black eye means is about 1 in 10,000. The armadillo population in the U.S. has been estimated at 30 to 50 million, and studies suggest that, in some places, up to 15% have leprosy. For now the infected animals are concentrated in Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Arkansas, and Alabama, but the armadillo...If you want to get a full essay, order it on our website: OrderCustomPaper.com

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