RESUMO
Normal mice and thymectomised, X-irradiated and thymic transplanted groups of mice were challenged with 10(3) Myco. leprae in the foot pad. Course of infection was studied for a period of seven months by sacrificing animals every month and counting the bacilli from the pooled tissues. In the thymectomised irradiated group the counts showed a plateau from 5th month onwards, whereas in control and thymus implant group the counts rose in 6th and 7th months.
Assuntos
Hanseníase/imunologia , Timo/imunologia , Animais , Imunidade/efeitos da radiação , Camundongos , Camundongos Endogâmicos , TimectomiaRESUMO
Following inoculation either locally or intravenously with Mycobact. leprae of human origin, the histopathology and bacteriology of the testis in experimental mice is described. Normal mice, and mice rendered immunologically deficient by thymectomy and whole-body irradiation, were studied. Attention is drawn to a heavy bacillation of the testis in mice from both groups. Bacilli were found in and beneath the tunica albuginea, but mainly in interstitial cells and in macrophages surrounding the tubules. The percentage of solidly staining bacilli was high, and globi were frequent. The study showed that the testis in mice is particularly favourable for the lodgement and multiplication of Mycobact. laprae following either local or intravenous inoculation. The significance of this in relation to the metabolism of the leprosy bacillus and to the frequent occurrence of testicular damage in the lepromatous male patient is discussed. This work was supported by grants to A. G. M. Weddell and A. C. McDougall from the Medical Research Council and the British Leprosy Relief Association (LEPRA).
Assuntos
Hanseníase/patologia , Testículo/patologia , Animais , Imunidade/efeitos da radiação , Terapia de Imunossupressão , Hanseníase/microbiologia , Masculino , Camundongos , Camundongos Endogâmicos CBA , Camundongos Nus , Mycobacterium leprae/isolamento & purificação , Testículo/microbiologia , TimectomiaRESUMO
Following inoculation either locally or intravenously with Mycobact. leprae of human origin, the histopathology and bacteriology of the testis in experimental mice is described. Normal mice, and mice rendered immunologically deficient by thymectomy and whole-body irradiation, were studied. Attention is drawn to a heavy bacillation of the testis in mice from both groups. Bacilli were found in and beneath the tunica albuginea, but mainly in interstitial cells and in macrophages surrounding the tubules. The percentage of solidly staining bacilli was high, and globi were frequent. The study showed that the testis in mice is particularly favourable for the lodgement and multiplication of Mycobact. laprae following either local or intravenous inoculation. The significance of this in relation to the metabolism of the leprosy bacillus and to the frequent occurrence of testicular damage in the lepromatous male patient is discussed. This work was supported by grants to A. G. M. Weddell and A. C. McDougall from the Medical Research Council and the British Leprosy Relief Association (LEPRA).