Observations on the culture of M. leprae in Medium V. A preliminary report

This paper reports the preliminary findings of an investigation using Medium V for culture of M. leprae. The medium was prepared adhering to the procedures adopted by Veeraraghavan. Tissues from 7 cases of lepromatous leprosy (Bacteriological Index of 3 or more) were inoculated into Medium V and incubated at 8-10 degrees C for 72 hours. Quantitative estimation of leprosy bacilli were made employing the enumeration technique of Veeraraghavan. There was no evidence of multiplication in any of the cultures. The findings are in conformity with those of Kato (1983) and of Katoch and Desikan (1983).