Mycobacterium leprae in Nine-Banded Armadillos (Dasypus novemcinctus), Ecuador.

ABSTRACT: We found Mycobacterium leprae, the most common etiologic agent of Hansen disease or leprosy, in tissues from 9 (18.75%) of 48 nine-banded armadillos (Dasypus novemcinctus) collected across continental Ecuador. Finding evidence of a wildlife reservoir is the first step to recognizing leprosy zoonotic transmission pathway in Ecuador or elsewhere.

SUBMITTER: Romero-Alvarez D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11616649 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature