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Armadillos are moving into Indiana. In the southeastern U.S., they've been blamed in some cases of leprosy.
(The leprosy bacterium is difficult to culture and armadillos have a body temperature of 34 °C (93 °F), similar to human skin.) [26] Humans can acquire a leprosy infection from armadillos by handling them or consuming armadillo meat. [27] [28] Armadillos are a presumed vector and natural reservoir for the disease in Texas, Louisiana and Florida.
High rates of Mycobacterium leprae infection were observed in armadillos in the Brazilian state of Pará, and individuals who frequently consumed armadillo meat showed a significantly higher titres of the M. leprae-specific antigen, phenolic glycolipid I (PGL-I) compared with those who did not or ate them less frequently. [38] [34]
Leprosy has historically been associated with social stigma, which continues to be a barrier to self-reporting and early treatment. [4] Leprosy is classified as a neglected tropical disease. [21] World Leprosy Day was started in 1954 to draw awareness to those affected by leprosy. [22] [4] The study of leprosy and its treatment is known as ...
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The question you have to ask is why would anyone want to touch an armadillo in the first place? But there's a very good reason to avoid the odd-looking armored mammals completely. Your health.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is telling Floridians to avoid armadillos after a rise in leprosy cases. According to local outlets, nine cases have been reported so far this year.
The armadillo model has been useful for biochemical, immunological, and vaccine research. Though the majority of nine-banded armadillos contract leprosy, about 15% of the species have been found to be resistant. The resistant specimens are used as a study model in order to develop a possible genetic linkage. [6] [9] [18]