01882nas a2200241   4500000000100000008004100001260001700042653001400059653002300073653001400096653002000110653001900130653001100149653001200160653002500172100001300197700001500210245007000225300001100295490000600306520131400312022001401626       1983                            d  c1983 Jul-Aug10aCell Wall10aChemical Phenomena10aChemistry10aCorynebacterium10aDNA, Bacterial10aHumans10aleprosy10aMycobacterium leprae1 aCocito C1 aDelville J00aProperties of microorganisms isolated from human leprosy lesions.  a649-560 v53 a<p>Diphtheroids, which in addition to Mycobacterium leprae are present in human leprosy lesions, were identified as true corynebacteria by DNA and cell wall analysis. Peptidoglycan (adjuvant) of these leprosy-derived corynebacteria (LDC) consists of N-acetylglycosaminyl-N-acetyl(glycolyl)-muramic acid and L-Ala-D-Glu(NH2)-(L)-meso-A2pm-(L)-D-Ala (A2pm = diaminopimelic acid). (The amino group of the tetrapeptide is attached to the carboxyl group of the muramate). Peripheral polysaccharide (antigen) is arabinogalactomannan with lateral chains of mannofuranose and arabinofuranose. To the latter are linked mycolic acids containing groups of isomers with 24-36 carbon atoms and containing between zero and four double bonds. DNAs of LDC isolates have a guanine + cytosine content of 56% and demonstrate a high degree of homology. LDC ribosomes cross-react with antisera against mycobacteria and with sera from patients with leprosy. Thermostable antigen M of LDC cross-reacts with the main antigens of tuberculin and lepromin. LDC thus represents a homogeneous and unique group of corynebacteria immunologically related to M. leprae. Leprosy might be the result of a pathogenic cooperation between both organisms, as suggested by the enhancement of M. leprae growth rate promoted in mice by living LDC.</p>  a0162-0886