Publication
Title
Ticks are unlikely to play a role in leprosy transmission in the Comoros (East Africa) as they do not harbour M. leprae DNA
Author
Abstract
Introduction: Leprosy, one of the oldest known human diseases, continues to pose a global challenge for disease control due to an incomplete understanding of its transmission pathways. Ticks have been proposed as a potential contributor in leprosy transmission due to their importance as vectors for other infectious diseases. Methods: In 2010, a sampling of ticks residing on cattle was conducted on the islands Grande Comore, Anjouan, and Moheli which constitute the Union of the Comoros where leprosy remains endemic. To investigate the potential role of ticks as a vector in transmission of leprosy disease, molecular analyses were conducted. Results: Out of the 526 ticks analysed, none were found to harbour Mycobacterium leprae DNA, as determined by a quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) assay targeting a family of dispersed repeats (RLEP) specific to M. leprae. Discussion: Therefore, our results suggest that in the Union of the Comoros, ticks are an unlikely vector for M. leprae.
Language
English
Source (journal)
Frontiers in Medicine
Publication
2023
ISSN
2296-858X
DOI
10.3389/FMED.2023.1238914
Volume/pages
10 (2023) , p. 1-5
Article Reference
1238914
ISI
001085413300001
Pubmed ID
37859857
Medium
E-only publicatie
Full text (Publisher's DOI)
Full text (open access)
UAntwerpen
Faculty/Department
Research group
Project info
Using novel molecular approaches to understand the transmission dynamics of Mycobacterium leprae in the Comoros.
Using novel molecular approaches to understand the transmission dynamics of Mycobacterium leprae in the Comoros.
Culture-free approaches including whole genome sequencing in support of diagnostic and transmission studies on Mycobacterium leprae.
Publication type
Subject
Affiliation
Publications with a UAntwerp address
External links
Web of Science
Record
Identifier
Creation 04.12.2023
Last edited 25.04.2024
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