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Effect of repeated lepromin testing on experimental nine-banded armadillo leprosy
Abstract:
Twenty-eight armadillos were lepromin tested and infected with M. leprae; 18 intravenously and 10 intradermally. The lepromin test was repeated after 3 months and at intervals of 6 months thereafter until their death or sacrifice up to 30 months. The one animal with tuberculoid lepromin was resistant and 14 of the 16 with lepromatous lepromin developed generalized disease. Of the 11 with borderline lepromin, 6 developed disseminated disease and 5 were resistant. There is a definite relationship between resistance and tuberculoid lepromin in the armadillo. Repeated lepromin testing had no effect in the rate of infection and the course of the disease in animals infected intravenously. In the intradermally infected animals the results were inconclusive. Whereas all the 20 animals with disseminated disease showed lesions in the liver, spleen and lymph nodes, only 4 animals had sciatic nerve involvement. Peripheral nerve trunk is not necessarily the preferred site in the armadillo. Lung lesions were an important cause of death in lepromatous armadillos.
Insights
Armadillo lepromin test results show a link between tuberculoid lepromin and resistance to M. leprae infection. Repeated testing did not alter infection rates or disease progression in intravenously infected animals.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Infectious Diseases
- Veterinary Medicine
Background:
- Leprosy, caused by Mycobacterium leprae (M. leprae), exhibits varied clinical forms.
- The lepromin test is a diagnostic tool used to assess cellular immune response in leprosy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between lepromin test results and susceptibility to M. leprae infection in armadillos.
- To evaluate the effect of repeated lepromin testing on infection and disease course.
Main Methods:
- Twenty-eight armadillos were lepromin tested and subsequently infected with M. leprae (intravenously or intradermally).
- Lepromin testing was repeated at intervals up to 30 months post-infection.
- Clinical signs, disease progression, and histopathological findings (including organ and nerve involvement) were monitored.
Main Results:
- A strong correlation was observed between tuberculoid lepromin and resistance to generalized M. leprae disease.
- Animals with lepromatous or borderline lepromin showed varying degrees of susceptibility, with disseminated disease developing in a significant proportion.
- Repeated lepromin testing did not influence infection rates or disease course in intravenously infected armadillos.
Conclusions:
- Tuberculoid lepromin indicates resistance to M. leprae infection in armadillos.
- Peripheral nerve involvement is not consistently observed in disseminated leprosy in armadillos, with lung lesions being a significant cause of mortality.