01644nas a2200241   4500000000100000008004100001260001300042653002400055653002000079653002200099653001100121653001200132653001600144653002500160653001800185100001400203245007500217856005300292300001100345490000800356520102400364022001401388       2006                            d  c2006 Jun10aAdhesins, Bacterial10aDendritic Cells10aEndothelial Cells10aHumans10aleprosy10aMacrophages10aMycobacterium leprae10aSchwann Cells1 aBarker LP00aMycobacterium leprae interactions with the host cell: recent advances.  uhttp://medind.nic.in/iby/t06/i6/ibyt06i6p748.pdf  a748-590 v1233 a<p>The significance of Hansen disease, or leprosy, is underscored by fact that detection of this disease has remained stable over the past 10 yr, even though disease prevalence is reduced. Due to the long incubation time of the organism, health experts predict that leprosy will be with us for decades to come. Despite the fact that Mycobacterium leprae, the causative agent of leprosy, cannot be cultured in the laboratory, researchers are using innovative and imaginative techniques to discern the interactions of M. leprae with host cells both in vitro and in vivo to identify the host and bacterial factors integral to establishment of disease. The studies described in this review present a new and evolving picture of the many interactions between M. leprae and the host. Specific attention will be given to interactions of M. leprae bacilli with host Schwann cells, macrophages, dendritic cells and endothelial cells. The findings described also have implications for the prevention and treatment of leprosy.</p>  a0971-5916