Leprosy in five armadillo handlers.
Five patients with leprosy are presented. Each had had extensive and chronic contact with armadillos. No other potential risk factor for the development of leprosy could be identified. Since the nine-banded armadillo is a known carrier of leprosy in the southern area of the United States, we believe that these patients may have contracted leprosy from infected armadillos.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000818:Animals; D001135:Armadillos; D003622:Dapsone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004197:Disease Reservoirs / Q000662:veterinary*; D006801:Humans; D007918:Leprosy / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013781:Texas; D004490:Xenarthra
D003622:Dapsone