Transmission of Mycobacterium leprae from lepromatous leprosy patients to the skin of mice through intermittent feeding.

Batches of hungry Aedes aegypti mosquitoes which partially sucked blood from the skin lesions of proved untreated lepromatous leprosy (LL) patients were allowed immediately to feed on a portion of the skin of a cleanly shaved swiss mouse. The portion of the skin was cut, homogenized on the same day and extracted with chloroform. Out of 10 extracts, stained for acid fast bacilli (AFB), Mycobacterium leprae were demonstrated in eight, indicating transfer of bacilli mechanically to the biting spot through intermittent feeding. Out of 50 probosces dissected and stained for AFB, M. leprae were demonstrated in 45.