Outline of Leprosy

I. Name of Disease
Leprosy; different forms being Lepromatus, Tuberculoid, Multibacilliary, and Paucibacilliary
II. Name of Bacteria
Mycobacterium leprae
III. Description of the Bacteria
Mycobacterium leprae, the bacteria which causes leprosy, is a rod-like bacillus with parallel sides and rounded ends measuring 2-7 micro-millimeters in length and 0.3-0.4 micro-millimeters in width. It can only be seen under the electron microscope when stained. It is acid-fast and alcohol-fast, meaning not decolorized by acid or alcohol after staining, as most bacteria retain dye after an acid or alc…