Leprosy is an ancient infection, common in biblical times, causing such disfiguring disease that sufferers were exiled to isolated colonies miles from anywhere.
But now it seems that the destructive bacterium that causes it, mycobacterium leprae, could be a force for good – able to grow and regenerate a vital organ.
Scientists have discovered that leprosy bacteria can reprogramme cells to increase the size of a liver in mature animals without causing damage, scarring or tumours.
