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Mycobacterium laprae is a pathogen that is usually found in tropical countries.

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What does it cause, how do you get it and who can get it?

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What does it cause, how do you get it and who can get it?

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Mycobacterium laprae causes the the disease leprosy. Although we don't think much of this disease anymore in the United States it does still affect people in other countries. You can get leprosy from from the droplets of an affected person from their nose or mouth after prolonged close contact with them. Another way leprosy is spread is through certain animals especially armadillos.Anyone can get leprosy, any age group.

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Mycobacterium laprae under the microscope

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There is no known prevention for leprosy. The best way to prevent the spread of leprosy is to catch the disease early and isolate those patients. Leprosy has a long term incubation period so it is really difficult to catch in the beginning phases of incubation.

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Another view under the microscope

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Muscle weakness in the hands due to leprosy

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Antibiotics are used to treat leprosy. In the last 2 decades 16 million people have been cured of leprosy. Anti inflammatory drugs are used to treat pain and swelling caused form leprosy.

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Some of the main symptoms of leprosy are the unusual sores that it causes. These sores do not go away after weeks or even months of treatment. It can also affect the peripheral nervous system damage and this can cause muscle weakness and loss of feeling in the arms an legs. It usually takes 3-5 years for the long term symptoms to occur after coming in contact tithe pathogen.

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Blisters caused by mycobacterium laprae

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Muscle weakness in the hands due to leprosy