Evidence for genetic influence of the host response to infection with Mycobacterium leprae is reviewed. A complex segregation analysis is performed on data for 91 families from Mactan, Philippines, in each of which at least one offspring developed lepromatous leprosy. The data are not found to be inconsistent with an autosomal recessive hypothesis for susceptibility to lepromatous leprosy. Heritability estimates in the range of 80% were calculated for sib-sib pairs under the multifactorial hypothesis for susceptibility. It is argued that the multifactorial hypothesis is more in keeping with available immunologic, epidemiologic, and demographic data than is the single gene hypothesis.
BT - Human genetics C1 - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/511131?dopt=Abstract DA - 1979 DO - 10.1007/bf00390238 IS - 2 J2 - Hum. Genet. LA - eng N2 -Evidence for genetic influence of the host response to infection with Mycobacterium leprae is reviewed. A complex segregation analysis is performed on data for 91 families from Mactan, Philippines, in each of which at least one offspring developed lepromatous leprosy. The data are not found to be inconsistent with an autosomal recessive hypothesis for susceptibility to lepromatous leprosy. Heritability estimates in the range of 80% were calculated for sib-sib pairs under the multifactorial hypothesis for susceptibility. It is argued that the multifactorial hypothesis is more in keeping with available immunologic, epidemiologic, and demographic data than is the single gene hypothesis.
PY - 1979 SP - 163 EP - 77 T2 - Human genetics TI - The genetic hypothesis for susceptibility to lepromatous leprosy. VL - 50 SN - 0340-6717 ER -