A Novel Air Sampling Device for the Identification of Mycobacterium leprae In Leprosy Care Facilities

Leprosy, a chronic infectious disease caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium leprae, remains a significant public health concern in endemic regions, despite advances in treatment and early identification of patients. Airborne transmission routes have been suggested, but remain poorly studied partly due to the lack of affordable and specific sampling tools. Commercial air samplers are costly, complex, and not designed for detecting Mycobacterium species in air, which requires large-scale environmental surveillance. To address this gap, we developed a simple, low-cost, and easily sterilizable assembly using basic laboratory materials, suitable for air sampling. The assembly employed a suction pump with a flow rate of 15 L/min at <5 mm Hg hermeticity, ensuring sterility by preventing direct contact between the pump and the collection medium. Environmental air sampling was conducted in leprosy-endemic dwellings, slit-skin smear examination rooms, and experimental animal facilities. Air samples were bubbled through Hank's Balanced Salt Solution (HBSS) buffer to preserve microbial viability. Microscopic examination revealed the presence of acid-fast and alcohol-fast organisms resembling M. leprae in air samples. PCR amplification of the 16S rRNA gene detected a 227 bp fragment for Mycobacterium species and a 173 bp fragment specific for M. leprae, confirmed by gel electrophoresis. This innovative device demonstrated efficiency, sterility, and versatility, offering other applications in microbial inoculation, harvesting, and environmental monitoring. This study highlights its potential as a practical tool for environmental surveillance in healthcare and endemic settings, supporting preventive approaches in leprosy research and occupational health safety.