Mycobacterium leprae

How to Contract the Disease

Leprosy is caused by Mycobacterium leprae. Contrary to popular belief, it is not very contagious and has a long incubation period (time before symptoms appear), which makes it difficult to determine where or when the disease was first contracted. Scientists are still unaware of how the disease is actually contracted. Most propose that it has something to do with close and prolonged contact with an infected person, usually through their bodily fluids (most often nasal discharge.) It also has been found that genetics play a big role in the contraction of the disease. It has been proven that there are cases where a person has gotten infected with the disease, and did not develop leprosy. Because of this, it has been found that only about 5% of the human population are susceptible to the disease. The majority of the human population has a natural immunity. Even though close contact is one of the proposals for contracting the disease, researchers are still unable to verify that because the majority of healthy people do not become infected when working with leprosy patients. And while the skin was thought to be the best entry route of the disease, studies are showing that it is more likely entered through the respiratory tract. All of these factors are making the contraction of the disease difficult to figure out

 In general, adults are less likely than children to contract the disease. Leprosy is found most commonly in environments that are tropical, temperate, and in areas of poor conditions (contaminated water, insufficient diet, etc.)