Mycobacterium leprae
Mycobacterium leprae
Mycobacterium leprae (pronounced: my-co-bac-te-ri-um lep-ray) is a type of bacteria that causes leprosy, a chronic infectious disease that primarily affects the skin, peripheral nerves, mucosa of the upper respiratory tract, and the eyes.
Etymology
The term Mycobacterium is derived from the Greek words mykes (meaning fungus) and bakterion (meaning small rod). This is due to the fact that under a microscope, the bacteria resemble a fungus and are rod-shaped. Leparae is derived from the Greek word lepra, meaning scaly, referring to the skin lesions often seen in leprosy.
Description
Mycobacterium leprae is an acid-fast, rod-shaped bacterium. It is an obligate intracellular parasite, which means it can only survive within the cells of a host organism. It is known for its long incubation period, which can last several years. The bacterium is also notable for being difficult to culture in the laboratory, which has made research into its biology and treatment challenging.
Transmission
The exact mode of transmission of Mycobacterium leprae is not fully understood, but it is generally believed to spread from person to person in respiratory droplets. Close, prolonged contact with an untreated individual with leprosy is typically required for transmission.
Related Terms
- Leprosy: A chronic infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae, characterized by skin lesions, nerve damage, and progressive debilitation.
- Bacteria: Single-celled microorganisms that can exist either as independent (free-living) organisms or as parasites (dependent on another organism for life).
- Acid-fast: A term used to describe bacteria that are not decolorized by acid-alcohol after being stained with dyes such as carbol fuchsin, often used in reference to Mycobacterium species.
- Obligate intracellular parasite: An organism or virus that can only reproduce by invading and taking over other cells as it lacks the means to replicate on its own.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Mycobacterium leprae
- Wikipedia's article - Mycobacterium leprae
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