Which of the following statement is false regarding M.leprae?
INH has a role only in treating M.Tuberculosis not M.Leprae. Mycobacterium leprae is an acid fast Gram-positive bacterium, with a slow doubling time of 14 days. It has the longest doubling time of all known bacteria. Incubation period 3 - 5 years. Mycobacterium leprae is an intracellular bacterium, infecting nerve, skin and mucosal cells. In laboratory environments, it is cultured on the feet of mice or on nine banded armadillos due to the inability to culture in vitro. In general, paucibacillary leprosy is treated with two antibiotics, dapsone and rifampicin, while multibacillary leprosy is treated with the same two plus a third antibiotic, clofazimine.
Incubation period 3 - 5 years
Can be cultured on foot pad of mice
Culture is more sensitive than slit skin smear
INH is used in treating the disease