Biomaterial Database

Behavior of Mycobacterium leprae in human macrophages in vitro. 1973

D R Samuel, and T Godal, and B Myrvang, and Y K Song

Attempts have been made to cultivate Mycobacterium leprae in human macrophages in vitro. In 27 out of 55 experiments a two- to ninefold increase (mean 2.31 +/- 1.46) in acid-fast organisms were observed over a period of 1.5 to 3 months of cultivation. No such increase was observed with heat-killed bacilli (mean fold increase 0.88 +/- 0.19). Macrophages were necessary for obtaining increases. No multiplication was observed on artificial media. A close correlation between increases of acid-fast organisms and changes in viability as determined by the morphology of the bacilli (morphologic index) was found. The increases in acid-fast organisms could be inhibited by anti-leprosy drugs. It is concluded that multiplication of M. leprae may take place inside human macrophages in vitro. Multiplication appears not to be dependent on whether the macrophages are derived from lepromatous or tuberculoid patients or healthy individuals. Moreover, multiplication took place both at 33 and 37 C. The applicability of this method is at present limited by the restricted survival of human macrophages in vitro.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008264	Macrophages	The relatively long-lived phagocytic cell of mammalian tissues that are derived from blood MONOCYTES. Main types are PERITONEAL MACROPHAGES; ALVEOLAR MACROPHAGES; HISTIOCYTES; KUPFFER CELLS of the liver; and OSTEOCLASTS. They may further differentiate within chronic inflammatory lesions to EPITHELIOID CELLS or may fuse to form FOREIGN BODY GIANT CELLS or LANGHANS GIANT CELLS. (from The Dictionary of Cell Biology, Lackie and Dow, 3rd ed.)	Bone Marrow-Derived Macrophages,Monocyte-Derived Macrophages,Macrophage,Macrophages, Monocyte-Derived,Bone Marrow Derived Macrophages,Bone Marrow-Derived Macrophage,Macrophage, Bone Marrow-Derived,Macrophage, Monocyte-Derived,Macrophages, Bone Marrow-Derived,Macrophages, Monocyte Derived,Monocyte Derived Macrophages,Monocyte-Derived Macrophage
D009166	Mycobacterium leprae	A species of gram-positive, aerobic bacteria that causes LEPROSY in man. Its organisms are generally arranged in clumps, rounded masses, or in groups of bacilli side by side.
D002455	Cell Division	The fission of a CELL. It includes CYTOKINESIS, when the CYTOPLASM of a cell is divided, and CELL NUCLEUS DIVISION.	M Phase,Cell Division Phase,Cell Divisions,Division Phase, Cell,Division, Cell,Divisions, Cell,M Phases,Phase, Cell Division,Phase, M,Phases, M
D003622	Dapsone	A sulfone active against a wide range of bacteria but mainly employed for its actions against MYCOBACTERIUM LEPRAE. Its mechanism of action is probably similar to that of the SULFONAMIDES which involves inhibition of folic acid synthesis in susceptible organisms. It is also used with PYRIMETHAMINE in the treatment of malaria. (From Martindale, The Extra Pharmacopoeia, 30th ed, p157-8)	Diaminodiphenylsulfone,Sulfonyldianiline,4,4'-Diaminophenyl Sulfone,Avlosulfone,DADPS,Dapsoderm-X,Dapson-Fatol,Diaphenylsulfone,Disulone,Sulfona,4,4' Diaminophenyl Sulfone,Sulfone, 4,4'-Diaminophenyl
D006358	Hot Temperature	Presence of warmth or heat or a temperature notably higher than an accustomed norm.	Heat,Hot Temperatures,Temperature, Hot,Temperatures, Hot
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D001431	Bacteriological Techniques	Techniques used in studying bacteria.	Bacteriologic Technic,Bacteriologic Technics,Bacteriologic Techniques,Bacteriological Technique,Technic, Bacteriological,Technics, Bacteriological,Technique, Bacteriological,Techniques, Bacteriological,Bacteriologic Technique,Bacteriological Technic,Bacteriological Technics,Technic, Bacteriologic,Technics, Bacteriologic,Technique, Bacteriologic,Techniques, Bacteriologic
D012293	Rifampin	A semisynthetic antibiotic produced from Streptomyces mediterranei. It has a broad antibacterial spectrum, including activity against several forms of Mycobacterium. In susceptible organisms it inhibits DNA-dependent RNA polymerase activity by forming a stable complex with the enzyme. It thus suppresses the initiation of RNA synthesis. Rifampin is bactericidal, and acts on both intracellular and extracellular organisms. (From Gilman et al., Goodman and Gilman's The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics, 9th ed, p1160)	Rifampicin,Benemycin,Rifadin,Rimactan,Rimactane,Tubocin