9 October 2025

Interrupting transmission of Mycobacterium leprae: synthesis of new evidence and research recommendations

This paper presents the research outcomes from the Global Partnership for Zero Leprosy (GPZL) Zero Transmission Symposium, held on May 23–25, 2024, in Bergen, Norway—the historic birthplace of the discovery of Mycobacterium leprae in 1873. The symposium brought together a multidisciplinary group of experts to review scientific progress and identify remaining knowledge gaps in interrupting M. leprae transmission.

Building on the 2014 symposium held at Baylor College of Medicine, this paper highlights advances and continuing research needs across key areas such as epidemiology, microbiological and immunodiagnostics, genotyping, geospatial mapping, post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP), mathematical modelling, OneHealth approaches, environmental transmission, and social determinants of health.

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