Leprosy susceptibility revealed.

In order for these findings to have practical significance in terms of leprosy control and prevention, it will be necessary to extend the linkage of chromosome 6q25 to another region endemic for leprosy. Replicative findings would likely mean that the chromosome 6q25 susceptibility gene is a variant of a common gene that promotes susceptibility to infection per se. Identification of the gene variant will hopefully reveal insight about transmission and disease incidence--the longstanding enigmas of leprosy. Whether a more effective, universal MDT treatment or another type of prevention (either vaccine or environmental) could be based on this knowledge, is an exciting prospect to contemplate.