The screening test for chemotherapeutic agents for leprosy

ABSTRACT

In view of the fact that there is no generally-accepted, uniform method for screening therapeutic agents for leprosy using murine leprosy, the methods used differing with each investigator so that the results are inconsistent, the need for a standard method was felt. Consequently, detailed basic studies were designed for the selection of a standard strain of murine leprosy for the purpose, the most suitable site of inoculation and quantity of inoculum to be used, the simplification and constancy of evaluation of results, and the selection of the best mouse strain. On the basis of the results of these studies a screening method, using the subcutaneous inoculation method, which might serve as a standard was devised.