Bacteria Associated With Skin Infections 3 Flashcards
Causative agent of Leprosy/Hansen’s disease
Mycobaterium leprae
Diagnostic feature of M. leprae
Obligate intracellular parasite
Acid-fast bacilli
M. leprae cannot live on its own. Its preferred cells include:
Macrophage (Langerhan cells) Endothelial cells (blood vessels) Schwann cells (peripheral nerves)
Morphology of M. leprae
Red or pink colored bacilli
Singly, in parallel bundles or in globular masses
This is the result of the destruction of the nasal septum for patients with lepromatous leprosy
Leonine-like fascies
General characteristics of M. leprae
Waxy exterior coating (presence of mycolic acid)
Gram variable (mostly Gram +)
Regularly found in skin or mucous membranes, particularly nasal septum
Cannot be grown in cell-free media or tissue culture
Grow best in mice and humans at below 37C
Inoculation of bacilli from ground tissue nasal scrapings in footpads of mice will
Develop local granulomatous lesions with limited multiplication of bacilli
Inoculation of bacilli from ground tissue nasal scrapings in armadillos will
Develop extensive lepromatous leprosy
Natural hosts of M. leprae
Humans and nine-banded armadillos
Diagnostic tests for M. leprae
Nine-banded armadillo and mice foot pads
True or False.
M. leprae from armadillo or human tissue contain a unique enzyme characteristic of leprosy bacilli called
o-diphenoxidase.
True
M. leprae contains a dense, largely lipid outer capsule outside of the cell wall
Phenoluc glycolipid-1 (PGL-1)
Major antigenic glycolipid in bacterium detected in the serologic test for leprosy
PGL-1
Associated in determining the bacterial predilection to the peripheral nerve by binding to the basal lamina of Schwann cells
PGL-1
Epidemiology of M. leprae
Endemic in Asia, Africa, Latin America and Pacific
Associated with poverty, rural residence and rarely armadillo contact)
Continent with the greatest number of cases of lepromatous leprosy
Asia
Continent with the highest prevalence rate of lepromatous leprosy
Africa
Mode of transmission of M. leprae
Inhalation of nasal droplet secretions Contact with infected skin Insect vectors Transmitter by soil Direct dermal inoculation (Tattoo)
True or False.
M. leprae infection is directly related to overcrowding and poor hygiene.
True
Shedding of organism in nasal secretions or ulcer exudates
Contact with lepromatous leprosy patients