Leprosy and procreation - a historical review of social and clinical aspects

Abstract

The clinical and immunological aspects of interactions of leprosy and pregnancy in terms of relapse, reactivation, exacerbation of the disease and leprosy reactions have recently received considerable attention. Furthermore, the development of techniques to demonstrate IgA and IgM anti-Mycobacterium leprae antibody activity in cord sera, presumptive evidence for the transmission of live M. leprae bacilli across the placenta and the development of leprosy in very young children have suggested that the incubation period of M. leprae may be very much shorter than hitherto acknowledged. In the light of new knowledge and understanding of leprosy, and advances in reproductive immunology, it is of great interest to review historical records and theories of causation and transmission of disease, and in particular the role of procreation.