An electron microscopic study of the small cutaneous vessels in lepromatous leprosy.

The small dermal vessels play an important role for the propagation of Mycobacterium leprae. Bacteria can multiply in the endothelial cells as well as in the pericytes and can enter the blood stream from the endothelial cells and the interstitial space from the pericytes. M. leprae can be phagocytosed by blood monocytes.