TY - JOUR AU - Gama, Rafael Silva AU - Gomides, Thalisson Artur Ribeiro AU - Gama, Chaiana Fróes Magalhães AU - Moreira, Suelen Justo Maria AU - de Neves Manta, Fernanda Saloum AU - de Oliveira, Lorena Bruna P. AU - Marçal, Pedro Henrique Ferreira AU - Sarno, Euzenir Nunes AU - Moraes, Milton Ozório AU - Garcia, Raúl Marcel González AU - de Oliveira Fraga, Lucia Alves PY - 2018 DA - 2018/04/02 TI - High frequency of M. leprae DNA detection in asymptomatic household contacts JO - BMC Infectious Diseases SP - 153 VL - 18 IS - 1 AB - Characterization of the Mycobacterium leprae genome has made possible the development of Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) systems that can amplify different genomic regions. Increased reliability and technical efficiency of quantitative PCR (qPCR) makes it a promising tool for early diagnosis of leprosy. Index cases that are multibacillary spread the bacillus silently, even before they are clinically diagnosed. Early detection and treatment could prevent transmission in endemic areas. SN - 1471-2334 UR - https://doi.org/10.1186/s12879-018-3056-2 DO - 10.1186/s12879-018-3056-2 ID - Gama2018 ER -