Intracellular fate of Mycobacterium leprae in cultured murine macrophages in 24-well trays.
Mycobacterium leprae is an obligate intracellular parasite which grows within mononuclear phagocytes. In clinical cases, M. leprae reaches enormous numbers in the macrophage-rich granulomas of leprosy. Peritoneal macrophages from CBA mice were cultured in Waymouth medium containing fresh horse serum in Costar 3424 trays (24 wells, 16 mm in diameter) each containing 9 x 12 mm cover slips. This medium was supplemented with 0.5 micrograms/ml of cycloheximide. These cells were infected with M. leprae Thai-53 strain obtained by nude mice inoculation. Significant multiplication of the acid-fast bacilli in the macrophages was observed three weeks after inoculation. This experiment showed M. leprae mainly multiplied in cells and not by rephagocytization of M. leprae derived from destroyed cells.
Osawa
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Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, Kitasato University, Sagamihara, Japan.
D000818:Animals; D001431:Bacteriological Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation; D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects; D003513:Cycloheximide / Q000494:pharmacology; D005260:Female; D008264:Macrophages / Q000187:drug effects / Q000382:microbiology*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008808:Mice, Inbred CBA / Q000382:microbiology; D008819:Mice, Nude / Q000382:microbiology; D009166:Mycobacterium leprae / Q000254:growth & development*; D010587:Phagocytosis
D003513:Cycloheximide