The fly as potential vector in the transmission of leprosy

Abstract

In controlled experiments specimens of 3 genera of flies, Musca, Calliphora and Stomoxys proved capable of taking up relatively large numbers of solid staining AFB and globi from infected nasal mucus from untreated lepromatous patients and also from the surface of ulcerating highly infiltrated skin and nodules. Both Musca and Calliphora are capable of depositing these on distant surfaces. Bacilli can contaminate the mouthparts of Stomoxys after feeding on nasal mucus and ulcers, and this provides a possible means for direct inoculation of Myco. leprae. Flies may thus have an important role in the transmission of leprosy, the 'infectious' patients from this angle being the one with positive nasal mucus or highly infiltrated and ulcerating skin. Every effort should be made to control flies in and around leprosy units.