Neonatally thymectomized Lewis rats infected with Mycobacterium leprae. 2. Histopathologic and electron microscopic observations.

We report the histologic and electron microscopic findings following intravenous inoculation of M. leprae into neonatally thymectomized Lewis rats, which were killed one to two years later. All organs appeared normal grossly. Histologic changes were confined to the footpads, snout, ears, tail, and testes, all of which were involved in every rat. The tissues were edematous and infiltrated by varying numbers of foamy macrophages. In the footpads muscle fibers were vacuolated, and small nerves showed degenerative changes. Large numbers of M. leprae were present in macrophages and striated muscle cells and smaller numbers in perineural cells and pericytes, as well as lying free in the tissues. Occasional intracellular bacilli were found throughout the reticuloendothelial system. Electron microscopy confirmed that the majority of organisms were within activated macrophages. Both intact and fragmented bacilli were contained within double-membrane bound vacuoles. Numerous M. leprae were lying free within the sarcoplasm of striated muscle cells. Virtually all of the extracellular organisms were degenerating.