01434nas a2200277   4500000000100000008004100001260001700042653001900059653001100078653001200089653002500101653003000126653002300156653001700179100001500196700001200211700001500223700001300238700001200251245009300263300000900356490000700365050003200372520073800404022001401142       1999                            d  c1999 Jan-Mar10aDNA, Bacterial10aHumans10aleprosy10aMycobacterium leprae10apolymerase chain reaction10aWater Microbiology10aWater Supply1 aMatsuoka M1 aIzumi S1 aBudiawan T1 aNakata N1 aSaeki K00aMycobacterium leprae DNA in daily using water as a possible source of leprosy infection.  a61-70 v71  aInfolep Library - available3 a<p>Some environmental factors were suspected to be sources of leprosy infection according to the results of total survey in the highly endemic villages in Indonesia. M. leprae DNA were detected by PCR from 21 out of 44 water sources used daily by villagers. Prevalence of leprosy among the people using PCR-positive water for bathing and washing was significantly higher than that among the people who used PCR-negative water. No significant difference in prevalence was, however, recognized in case of usage of negative or positive water for drinking. Water was regarded as a reservoir and infectious source of M. leprae. Transmission of leprosy through the contaminated water was strongly suggested by epidemiological analysis.</p>  a0254-9395