Leprosy is caused by bacteria actually called the mycobacterium leprae. The leprosy bacteria share several features along with the tuberculosis bacteria and therefore both could be from the same family. They both have huge amount of lipids in their cell membranes. They progress very slowly, and their multiplication rate is extremely slow.

For leprosy bacteria to incubate, it could take two to three years and sometimes a few decades. It also takes several years to multiply within the body. Also, leprosy and tuberculosis are ranked very high in the most devastating diseases list. There are nearly 12 million people in the US who afflicted with leprosy.

Leprosy bacteria could breed where there are poor sanitation conditions. The bacteria enter the body through the respiratory tract and it resides in the skin. Leprosy is also known as Hansen’s disease. If leprosy is in a mild form, it is known as tubercloid leprosy, and if it is in an advanced or severe stage, it is known as lepromatus. Lepromatus is often severe and it forms very large lesions at the nerve endings like fingers and toes. These lesions appear like nodes at the nerve endings. Also, the bacteria tend to grow where the temperature is low in the body like the nose, ears, and skin.
 

The leprosy bacteria cannot be destroyed. One of the first symptoms of leprosy is the lack of sensation in the skin. Only humans are known to be carriers of the bacteria, and it has not been found commonly in animals.

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