Armadillos Cause Leprosy

Each year only about 150 bag in the U.S. be infected with leprosy, a bacterial distemper that can lead to nerve damage and disfigurement. In most(prenominal) cases, the great unwashed 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 ailment is more common. Not all cases occur akin this. A new study in the New England journal of Medicine may provide an translation for  rough cases, armadillos. in that respect rich person been several anecdotal reports of leprosy in serviceman who have handled, killed, or eaten armadillos, or who may have been indirectly exposed by gardening in smirch where the animals burrow. just 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 a rmadillo. After identifying specific strains of the bacteria, they compared them with a bigger 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 debatable to demonstrate specific causality, says Richard Truman, PhD, one of the study authors and the chief of microbiological inquiry at the National Hansens Disease Program, in  brink Rouge, La. (Leprosy is also known as Hansens diseas! e.) However, he adds, the heap that the humans with the armadillo-specific strain were infected by near reversion 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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