Ask A Scientist© Molecular Biology Archive

>
>  name       Ram Armon
>  age        50s
>
>Question - Is Leprosy infectios?
>
>Yes it is an infectious agent...caused by a spirochete not too unlike the
>germ that causes syphilis. On the other hand, it is not very contagious.
>
>PF
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>Leprosy is caused by a bacterium caused Mycobacterium
>leprae and is an infectious disease. It is not as
>contagious as once thought.
>If you want to know more about the subject, check this
>display in the Virtual Museum of Bacteria:
>http://www.bacteriamuseum.org/species/Mleprae.shtml
>which contains links to fact sheets and collection
>sites.
>
>Trudy Wassenaar
>Curator of the Virtual Museum of Bacteria
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>Leprosy, also known as Hansen's disease, is an ancient disease described in
>the Bible. Infected people were required to wear a bell to warn others they
>were coming, an early isolation technique. These people were considered
>untouchable and were often banished to Leper colonies. It is not as
>contagious as once believed but 10% of family members contact the disease.
>It is probably passed from person to person through nasal secretions (as in
>Tuberculosis, its cousin) and direct skin to skin contact. It is treatable
>with antimicrobial drugs, although the bacteria have become resistant. It
>now requires a combination of drugs.
>
>kvanhoeck
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