RESUMO
The liver, skeletal muscle, and adrenal gland obtained from two nine-banded armadillos infected with Mycobacterium leprae were studied using an electron microscope. M. leprae were found in varying numbers inside hepatocytes, Kupffer's cells, striated muscle cells, adrenal cortical and adrenal medullary cells, endothelial cells, and macrophages. There was evidence to suggest that M. leprae were actively phagocytosed by the liver and skeletal muscle cells. The inert nature of M. leprae and its behavior as an almost ideal parasite of parenchymal cells are emphasized. The question of whether this unique parasitism of parenchymal cells and the possible processing and presentation of M. leprae antigens by these cells could be responsible for aberrant immune responses is raised.
Assuntos
Glândulas Suprarrenais/microbiologia , Hanseníase/microbiologia , Fígado/microbiologia , Mycobacterium leprae/fisiologia , Língua/microbiologia , Córtex Suprarrenal/microbiologia , Córtex Suprarrenal/ultraestrutura , Glândulas Suprarrenais/ultraestrutura , Medula Suprarrenal/microbiologia , Medula Suprarrenal/ultraestrutura , Animais , Tatus , Endotélio/microbiologia , Células de Kupffer/microbiologia , Fígado/ultraestrutura , Macrófagos/microbiologia , Microscopia Eletrônica , Músculos/microbiologia , Mycobacterium leprae/ultraestrutura , Fagocitose , Língua/ultraestruturaRESUMO
Liver tissue from a nude mouse infected with Mycobacterium leprae for 18 months was examined using light and electron microscopes. Numerous microgranulomas composed of macrophages were present throughout the liver. M. leprae in large numbers were present in Kupffer cells, macrophages, endothelial cells, and liver parenchymal cells. The study shows that the lower temperature of about 31 degrees C optimal for the growth of M. leprae is relative rather than absolute, and that M. leprae can invade even liver cells.