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Abstract. Nine-banded armadillos ( Dasypus novemcinctus) are naturally infected with Mycobacterium leprae and have been implicated in zoonotic transmission of leprosy. Early studies found this disease mainly in Texas and Louisiana, but armadillos in the southeastern United States appeared to be free of infection.
Apr 27, 2011 · The cases are concentrated in Louisiana and Texas, where some people hunt, skin and eat armadillos. Leprosy, also known as Hansen’s disease, is an ancient scourge that has largely disappeared ...
Apr 11, 2024 · Hansen's disease is caused by slow-growing bacteria called Mycobacterium leprae and Mycobacterium lepromatosis. The disease can affect the nerves, skin, eyes, and lining of the nose. In some cases, body parts may lose their sense of touch and pain, increasing the likelihood of injuries such as cuts and burn.
(The leprosy bacterium is difficult to culture and armadillos have a body temperature of 34 °C (93 °F), similar to human skin.) Humans can acquire a leprosy infection from armadillos by handling them or consuming armadillo meat. Armadillos are a presumed vector and natural reservoir for the disease in Texas, Louisiana and Florida.
Leprosy has been found in animals in different locations across the world. On the American continents, leprosy has been found in nine banded armadillos and has been transmitted to humans through infected armadillos. Meanwhile, the UK’s red squirrel population has been known to develop leprosy, but there have been no instances of transmission ...
Nov 25, 2019 · This corrects the article "Armadillos and leprosy: from infection to biological model" in volume 61, e44. Ilanna Vanessa Pristo de Medeiros Oliveira 1 Patrícia Duarte Deps 2
Apr 27, 2011 · Interviews with 15 of the leprosy patients further revealed that eight had had direct contact with armadillos. Loughry says roughly 6 to 10 percent of armadillos he has tested in Alabama and ...
