Abstract
In a previous communication 1 a description was given of an acid-fast organism isolated from human and rat leprous lesions by the tissue culture technic.
Some of the organisms were acid-fast and some non-acid-fast in fresh tissue cultures and in minced embryo medium, but entirely acid-sensitive on the usual laboratory media.
The best growth of acid-fast organisms occurred in from 24–48 hours. There were usually as many acid-fast as acid-sensitive organisms present. After this period of incubation the acid-fast rods gradually disappeared and on about the tenth day the organisms were non-acid-fast or almost so. On transferring to fresh tissue cultures or minced embryo medium, the above picture was repeated.
The tinctorial characteristics varied depending upon the living condition of the tissues. In vigorous, actively growing tissues the organisms were strongly acid-fast. As the tissues became less vigorous the acid-fast property was less pronounced and, finally as the tissues died and autolyzed, only non-acid-fast diphtheroids were seen.
The organisms isolated from human and rat lesions revealed the same morphological and physiological characteristics. It was, therefore, concluded that human and rat leprosy are caused by the same organism.
In order to determine whether or not the acid-fast phase is characteristic of bacteria in general, when inoculated into minced embryo medium, the following organisms were tested: Escherichia coli, Eberthella typhi, Eberthella dysenteriae, Eberthella paradysenteriae (Bacillus dysenteriae Flexner), Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus subtilis (dissociating strain), Bacillus anthracis, Corynebacterium diphtheriae (American No. 8), Corynebacterium xerosis, Corynebacterium pseudodiphthericum (hoffmanni), Staphylococcus aureus, Sarcina lutea, Rhodococcus roseus, Clostridium botulinum (Type A),
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