M. leprae is an acid-fast, gram-positive obligate intracellular bacillus that shows tropism for cells of the reticuloendothelial system and peripheral nervous system (notably Schwann cells). It is a rod-shaped, Gram-positive organism that is acid-fast when stained by the Ziehl–Nielsen or the better Fite methods. Thus, patients under treatment should be warned to be vigilant for symptoms of immune reactions. While the bacteria can trigger apoptosis in the cells, the body also contributes to cell death by mounting an immune response on the infected cells. It is an obligate intracellular organism and expresses phenolic glycolipid 1 (PG1) on its outer capsule, which may decrease free radical formation and, … (4) An overview of leprosy’s many symptoms include: Spots on the skin These usually appear on the arms, legs, or back. When inhaled, the bacterium can settle in the lungs, where it begins to grow. Leprosy (Hansen’s Disease) is a disease of progressive bacterial infection caused by a bacillus, Mycobacterium leprae (M. Leprae) that predominantly affects the skin and the nerves which can cause significant disfigurement and disability. Leprosy can occur at all ages from infancy to elderly, but is curable in which treatments can avert disabilities. Mycobacterium Leprae: Read more about Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment, Complications, Causes and Prognosis. Clinicians should consider this pathogen in the diagnosis of patients with symptoms of leprosy who have traveled to endemic areas. leprae is a straight or slightly curved rod, with rounded ends, measuring 1.5-8 microns in length by 0.2-0.5 micron in diameter. Leprosy is an infectious disease caused by a bacillus, Mycobacterium leprae. M. leprae has a very small genome, indicating that it depends on host mechanisms for growth and replication. … Skin infected with mycobacterium abscessus is usually red, warm, tender to the touch, swollen, and/or painful. Leprosy, also known as Hansen's disease (HD), is a long-term infection by the bacteria Mycobacterium leprae or Mycobacterium lepromatosis.

Mycobacterium leprae is the bacteria responsible for the disease leprosy, also called Hansen's disease, after Dr. Gerhard Armauer Hansen, the man who discovered the bacteria in 1873.Leprosy is a disease that causes damage to the peripheral nerves and the skin, and can lead to serious complications, including loss of toes and fingers, infertility, and blindness.

... Leprosy is caused by Mycobacterium leprae, a rod-shaped bacterium. M. leprae multiplies slowly and the incubation period of the disease, on average, is 5 years. Mycobacterium avium complex infections can cause various symptoms depending on the site of the infection.