Genotoxic effects of Mycobacterium leprae infection in humans

Abstract

Infection by Mycobacterium leprae, which affects primarily the peripheral nerves and secondarily the skin and other tissues, leads to a chronic infectious disease, leprosy. It is the most dreaded and mutilating disease of mankind. It is confined mainly to humans, though an acquired leprosy-like disease has been reported in armadillo, chimpanzee and in the Magabey monkey. The estimated number of existing leprosy patients in the world is between 12 and 15 million, who are mainly from developing Third World countries. It is highly prevalent in tropical countries and is most common in Central Africa and South-East Asia. India has a larger number of leprosy patients than any other country. About 4 million cases, nearly one quarter of the world's leprosy patients, live in this country.