Scientists have discovered that the nine-banded armadillo is the most likely cause of the recent rise in leprosy cases in the Southern United States, the Associate Press reports. James Krahenbuhl, head of the government leprosy program said that the results of the new study points the finger at the scaly creature, saying, “Now, we have the link.”
DNA testing showed that the strain of leprosy found in some patients matches the bacterial strain carried by armadillos. Scientists previously believed that the two might have been connected, but can now confirm their theories of causation. Researchers at the National Hansen’s Disease Programs in Baton Rouge, Louisiana led an international study team that published their findings in the New England Journal of Medicine this Thursday. They believe that frequent handling or actual consumption of armadillo meat is required for the transmission of the disease.
As part of the study, researchers compiled DNA samples from 33 wild Armadillos from Arkansas, Alabama, Louisiana, Texas and Mississippi. Scientists compared samples to skin biopsies of 50 patients being treated for leprosy at a Baton Rouge clinic. Analysis revealed that samples from the armadillos and patients were genetically similar and different from other strains of leprosy seen in patients across the world. One particular strain was found in 28 armadillos and 25 patients, leading researchers to believe that they are linked.
Leprosy is very rare in the United States, with only 150 reported cases a year. It remains to be a problem in tropical climates around the globe, infecting about 250,000 new people every year. While leprosy is infectious, it is very difficult to transmit. It cannot be spread through causal contact, such as shaking hands and cannot be transmitted sexually, even during an outbreak. Similar to diseases like Tuberculosis, leprosy can remain dormant for years before ever attacking the nerve and skin cells of the infected person.
Leprosy, known medically as Hansen’s disease, is curable if treated properly and swiftly with the appropriate antibiotics. If left untreated, leprosy can cause severe nerve damage, leading to loss of feeling in extremities, deformity and disability. Leprosy attacks the skin and hands and feet of humans, but the damage to armadillos is much more severe, infecting the liver, lymph nodes and spleen. The onset of an outbreak is characterized by an unusually lumpy skin lesion.
Lead researcher Richard Truman of the National Hansen’s Disease Program advised all people, especially those most commonly around armadillos, to stay away from them. “Leave the animals alone,” he advised.
