Mycobacterium leprae
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Mycobacterium leprae | |
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| Microphotograph of Mycobacterium leprae taken from a skin lesion. Source: CDC | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Bacteria |
| Phylum: | Actinobacteria |
| Order: | Actinomycetales |
| Suborder: | Corynebacterineae |
| Family: | Mycobacteriaceae |
| Genus: | Mycobacterium |
| Species: | M. leprae |
| Binomial name | |
| Mycobacterium leprae Hansen, 1874 |
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Mycobacterium leprae is a bacteria. It is causes the disease, leprosy, also known as Hanson's Disease. The bacterium was discovered in 1873 by a Norwegian physician named Gerhard Armauer Hansen. M. leprae is a gram-positive, aerobic rod surrounded by the characteristic waxy coating unique to Mycobacteria. In size and shape, it closes resembles M. tuberculosis. Due to its thick, waxy coating, stains with carbol-fuchsin rather than with the traditional Gram staining method.
