Mycobacterium lepraemurium
# Mycobacterium lepraemurium

Mycobacterium lepraemurium is a causative agent of feline leprosy. It causes granulomatous lesions, characteristic of the Mycobacterium genus.

## Description

Gram-positive, nonmotile and strongly acid-fast rods (3-5 µm long). Slightly rounded ends.

Colony characteristics

* Rough nonchromogenic colonies.

Physiology

* Growth on inspissated 1% egg yolk medium at 30 °C - 37 °C within 4–5 weeks (using large inocula, confined to a concentrated area of the medium, egg white is inhibitory).

## Pathogenesis

* Cause of endemic disease of rats in various parts of the world, as well as feline leprosy.
* feline leprosy is transmitted by bites from rats and other cats.
* Disease occurs mainly in the skin and lymph nodes, causing induration, alopecia and eventual ulceration.
* Nodular lesions, involving subcutaneous tissues, may be solitary or multiple and usually confined to the head region or the limbs. Nodules are fleshy and freely movable.
* Surgical excision of the lesions is the preferred treatment.
* Only the densely and uniformly stained forms appear to be infectious for animals, in contrast to the degenerate unevenly stained forms.
* Biosafety level 2

## Type strain

None specified due to difficulties in cultivation.

