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Genetic Clue to Leprosy |
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WEDNESDAY, Jan. 28 (HealthDayNews) -- Genes linked to leprosy susceptibility have been identified by an international research team led by scientists from McGill University Health Centre (MUHC) in Montreal.
They discovered that minor changes in the Parkin 2 gene and its neighbor, PACRG, result in an increased susceptibility to leprosy. The Parkin 2 gene has also been shown to cause certain forms of Parkinson's disease.
The findings, published in the February issue of Nature, may help scientists develop a way to eradicate leprosy.
"Our results give an entirely novel view of the leprosy disease process. Our findings may hold the key to unravel why, despite effective drug treatment, leprosy persists in many parts of the world," researcher and MUHC molecular geneticist Dr. Erwin Schurr says in a prepared statement.
He and his colleagues analyzed DNA from almost 200 Vietnamese families with leprosy. They found certain forms of the Parkin 2 and PACRG genes were associated with a highly increased risk of developing leprosy.
These findings were confirmed in Brazilian leprosy patients.
Leprosy affects about 1 million people worldwide. The disease is caused by bacteria that can be transmitted through direct personal contact or contaminated respiratory droplets.
More information
Here's where you can learn more about leprosy.
(SOURCE: McGill University Health Centre, news release, January 2004)
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