Multiplication of Mycobacterium leprae in the nude mouse, and some applications of nude mice to experimental leprosy.
Two aspects of the immune deficiency of nude mice make these animals particularly useful tools for leprosy research. Nude mice are capable of supporting multiplication of M. leprae to levels approaching 10(10) per g in peripheral body tissues. In addition, nude mice may be inoculated with greater than 10(4) (in fact, with as many as 10(8) organisms per foot pad, without provoking an immune response that prevents multiplication of the organisms. Thus, the nude mouse should be particularly suitable for detecting persisting M. leprae in treated patients, and as a model of the patient for evaluating chemotherapeutic regimens.
McDermott-Lancaster
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RD
Department of Medical Microbiology, St. George's Hospital Medical School, London, U.K.
Ito
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T
Kohsaka
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K
Guelpa-Lauras
C C
CC
Grosset
J H
JH
D000818:Animals; D007918:Leprosy / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology*; D051379:Mice; D008819:Mice, Nude / Q000382:microbiology*; D009166:Mycobacterium leprae / Q000254:growth & development*; D012293:Rifampin / Q000627:therapeutic use
D012293:Rifampin