By NewsDesk  @bactiman63

The bacteria that causes the neglected tropical disease, Leprosy, Mycobacterium leprae, was once thought to be an obligate human pathogen.

However, they have been shown to be found in captive non-human primates, armadillos and most recently, red squirrels.

A recent study published in Nature showed that two populations of wild chimpanzees found in two West African countries contracted leprosy.

In this video, I’ll look at leprosy, or Hansen’s disease in humans, touch on leprosy in armadillos and red squirrels and close out with a little information about the wild chimpanzees.

 

Leprosy: It continues to be a problem in the modern era

World Leprosy Day 2019: ‘Ending discrimination, stigma and prejudice’

Leprosy: 62% of the Amazonian armadillos carry the bacteria

Leprosy vaccine candidate, LepVax, provides effective pre-exposure and post-exposure prophylaxis of M. leprae infection in animals: Study

Florida reports 16 confirmed leprosy cases in 2017

Hansen’s Disease, or leprosy in the US

Leprosy: Rare case reported in Iowa

Leprosy: Several genes that are associated with resistance to antibiotics found