Immunological analysis of Mycobacterium leprae using cross-reactions with cytoplasmic antigens of the Actinomycetales

Cells of Mycobacterirrm leprne were isolated and purified from lepromas, spleen, and liver of leprosy patients. An immunodiffusion analysis of the cytoplasms obtained from four lots of M. leprae and 303 strains of different Actinomycetales was performed with the aid of the cytoplasm antisera. Antigenic cross-reactions were found between the cytoplasms of M. leprae and certain cytoplasm determinants of M. avirrr71, M. gallirrarunr, M. trrbercrrlosis, M. sirniae, M. knrrsasii, Mycococcrrs cnpsrrlatus, Actitronzyces israelii, A. traesl~rrrdii, and some strains of saprophytic mycobacteria. The results are analyzed for the light they throw on the possible evolution of Mycobacterirrm leprae. The possibility of developing an M. leprae based on the antigenic similarities is also discussed. KWAPINSKI, J. B. G., J. 0. DE ALMEIDA et E. H. KWAPINSKI. 1972. Immunological analysis of Mycobacterirrm leprae using cross-reactions with cytoplasmic antigens of the Actinomycetales. Can. J. Microbiol. 18: 391-396.