01479nas a2200241   4500000000100000008004100001260001300042653001100055653003800066653001100104653001200115653000900127653001700136653001200153100001200165245009500177856004800272300001000320490001600330050001500346520086200361022001401223       2012                            d  c2012 Dec10aFemale10aGenetic Predisposition to Disease10aHumans10aleprosy10aMale10aRisk Factors10aSpouses1 aJoyce P00aHistoric aspects of human susceptibility to leprosy and the risk of conjugal transmission.  uhttp://www.scielo.br/pdf/mioc/v107s1/04.pdf  a17-210 v107 Suppl 1  aJOYCE 20123 a<p>Estimates of genetic susceptibility to leprosy were made in the past from observational reports in familial settings using descriptive epidemiologic data. Risk of conjugal transmission of leprosy (from one spouse to another) has been estimated between 1-10% and is thought to occur in 3-5% of spouses exposed to untreated lepromatous disease in the partner. Risk of secondary transmission is presumed higher in other family members than for the conjugal partner. This belief has become dogma to many leprologists who may no longer know the basis for this estimation. This article reviews the historic epidemiologic descriptions of risk for leprosy transmission in married couples compared to other family members. Although uncommon, conjugal leprosy occurs and at higher rates in populations with traditional familial intermarriage and consanguinity.</p>  a1678-8060