where is mycobacterium leprae most likely to be found
Mycobacterium leprae Mycobacterium leprae, also known as Hansenâ€™s bacillus spirilly, mostly found in warm tropical countries, is a bacterium that causes leprosy (Hansen's disease).[1] It is an intracellular, pleomorphic, acid-fast, pathogenic bacterium.[2] M. leprae is an aerobic bacillus (rod-shaped) surrounded by the characteristic waxy coating unique to mycobacteria. In size and shape, it closely resembles Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Due to its thick waxy coating, M. leprae stains with a carbol fuchsin rather than with the traditional Gram stain. The culture takes several weeks to mature.