MYCOBACTERIUM LEPRAE Meaning and
Definition
-
Mycobacterium leprae is a bacterium that causes the infectious disease known as leprosy, also referred to as Hansen's disease. It is a slow-growing, acid-fast, rod-shaped bacterium that primarily affects the skin, nerves, and respiratory tract.
Mycobacterium leprae is classified under the Mycobacterium genus, which includes other notorious pathogens like Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the causative agent of tuberculosis. However, unlike M. tuberculosis, M. leprae is less easily transmitted and requires prolonged close contact with infected individuals for transmission to occur. The bacterium is primarily transmitted through respiratory droplets from infected individuals, but the exact mode of transmission is still not well understood.
Once inside the body, M. leprae targets peripheral nerves, causing damage and resulting in a range of symptoms depending on the individual's immune response. Leprosy is characterized by the development of skin lesions, nerve damage, and deformities, particularly in the extremities, face, and ears. The disease can present in various forms, ranging from mild to severe, depending on the immune response of the individual.
Mycobacterium leprae is an obligate intracellular pathogen, meaning it can only survive and reproduce within host cells, primarily macrophages. This characteristic makes it difficult to culture the bacterium in the laboratory, impeding research efforts and limiting effective diagnostic methods for leprosy.
Leprosy remains a public health concern in some regions of the world, especially in poverty-stricken areas with limited healthcare access. Through early detection, multi-drug therapy, and improvements in living conditions, efforts are being made to control the transmission of Mycobacterium leprae and reduce the burden of lepro
Common Misspellings for MYCOBACTERIUM LEPRAE
- nycobacterium leprae
- kycobacterium leprae
- jycobacterium leprae
- mtcobacterium leprae
- mgcobacterium leprae
- mhcobacterium leprae
- mucobacterium leprae
- m7cobacterium leprae
- m6cobacterium leprae
- myxobacterium leprae
- myvobacterium leprae
- myfobacterium leprae
- mydobacterium leprae
- mycibacterium leprae
- myckbacterium leprae
- myclbacterium leprae
- mycpbacterium leprae
- myc0bacterium leprae
- myc9bacterium leprae
Etymology of MYCOBACTERIUM LEPRAE
The word "Mycobacterium leprae" has a Latin-based etymology. Here is a breakdown of its components:
1. "Mycobacterium": The term "Mycobacterium" originates from the Greek words "mykes" meaning "fungus" and "bakterion" meaning "small rod" or "little stick". It refers to a genus of bacteria that includes various species known for their rod-like shape and association with certain diseases.
2. "leprae": This word comes from the Latin term "lepra" meaning "leprosy", a chronic infectious disease caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium leprae. In Latin, "lepra" is derived from the Greek word "lepros" meaning "scaly" or "rough".
Infographic
Add the infographic to your website:
