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In India, why are some people susceptible to the chronic disease called leprosy, while others are not?
The reason is a simple change or mutation in a few genes that makes them vulnerable to the bacteria that causes leprosy, named Mycobacteriaum Leprae.
Mutation in the gene identified as LRRK2 increases the risk of leprosy in Indian populations. Secondly, there is considerable influence of the RIPK2 gene variants, which are key to recognising bacterial threats and initiating responses from the immune system.
This new insight revealed by an Indo-German research study, is expected to help tame the disease. For decades, a person afflicted by the disease was shunned by society and lived in special homes. Thanks to multi-drug therapy, that situation has changed.
But, still the disease caused by the bacteria-Mycobacterium Leprae imposes a social and economic burden, especially in young adults, who are at their most productive age. Though polio is virtually eradicated, leprosy, the chronic disease of the skin and nerves, though significantly controlled, continues to rear its head in several places.
The results increase our understanding of the changes at the cell level that are regulated by the bacteria during its clinical course. It also points to the genetic factors that may explain the extraordinary predominance of leprosy in the Indian sub-continent, says Thirumalaisamy Velavan, lead author of the study, a German scientist of Indian origin at the Institute of Tropical Medicine, University of Tubingen, Germany.
A total of 1,89,018 cases were registered globally till 2012. India ranks first, both in terms of prevalence and new cases with a whopping 58 per cent. The encouraging news is that leprosy control has dramatically improved with effective multi-drug therapy. Early diagnosis and treatment, however remain key factors to control the disease.
The research study published in PLOS ONE Journal by the team of German and Indian scientists investigated the possible contribution of genetic variations in genes that are vital for immunological control of bacterial pathogen.
The institutes involved in the study were from the Institute of Tropical Medicine, University of Tubingen, LEPRA-Blue Peter Public Health and Research Centre, Hyderabad, Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology, School of Life Sciences, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore.
Vijayalakshmi, one of the authors and acting Director of LEPRA-BPHRC, India said leprosy prevalence is high certain districts of Andhra Pradesh. She said the actual incidence among household contacts and the relative risk for them varied considerably because of their genetic composition.
Mohan Rao, Director, CCMB, said the study findings can help in screening the family members of the leprosy patients for their risk assessment.
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